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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep a handbag I’ve found?

156 replies

Nesssie · 23/08/2018 18:18

So on my walk this morning I found a Primark handbag in an alleyway. It’s clearly brand new but without tags. There’s nothing in it and it doesn’t look like it has been used at all.
It’s still there now, AIBU to take it? It’s really nice!

OP posts:
Kittykat93 · 23/08/2018 20:14

Proper belly laughing at whoever suggested calling the POLICE 😆 op it's a shame you didn't get the bag in the end - next time act faster Grin

bertielab · 23/08/2018 20:14

MY bag was stolen out of my car.
It had nothing of value out of it. The bag itself was knackered to pieces BUT.... it was the kids baby changing bag was about £500 new and I loved.
I was gutted. It was covered in sick etc and was a total car crash.

About 4 weeks later it was handed into the local police station and I got it back -I cried. I love the memories that bag has.

A £10 primark bag might be nothing to you, but it might be a teenager who has saved up a Mum with little money to spend on herself.

Pick it up and drop it into the local police station.

If you keep it -it is theft. Someone hasn't dropped it their by accident. Some poor person has brought it as a school bag for their kid or something, someone has stolen it thinking their might be a purse it in. There wasn't so they have chucked it. For F*'s sake do the decent thing and hand it in. If it was your handbag -hopefully someone might give it back.

My leather nappy changing bag had no money just kid's stuff in it and I bloody happy to get it back.

Do the right thing.

bertielab · 23/08/2018 20:16

Just seen that it's gone.
Hopefully it's owner got it back or someone with a moral code has been and handed it in.

OctaviaOctober · 23/08/2018 20:16

Looking brand new doesn't mean nothing was ever in it. People swap bags all the time these days so they stay looking pristine. My only thought is that if it was stolen by a robber/mugger it may have been useful evidence. If you feel like it, drop the police an email.

Original poster
Nesssie · 23/08/2018 20:18

Clionba Ill take a picture tomorrow, I’ve been down that alley 6 times today already!

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 23/08/2018 20:19

kitty I’m a detective. She should call the police and I am usually against the MN cry of “call the police”

It might be nothing and there is no harm done or it might be part of a crime that the op (or is) know nothing about.

Anytime I have a robbery of a handbag I am desperate to get the bag back for forensics.

Clionba · 23/08/2018 20:21

Nesssie thanks, pet!

CoughLaughFart · 23/08/2018 20:23

Call 101/take it to police station... Some one may be looking to find it

The police are struggling in the face of massive cuts. More and more stations are closing or operating reduced hours. But yeah, if you can find one that’s open, rush over with some of tat from Primark. They’ll be thrilled.

Nicknacky · 23/08/2018 20:27

cough See my post above.

Thesearepearls · 23/08/2018 20:28

One of the most heartwarming things that happened to me is someone turning in my lost purse and new handbag (on Hampstead Heath of all places). Go and turn it in. You'll make yourself happy for having done the right thing and you'll make the owner happy. Everyone wins.

ViserionTheDragon · 23/08/2018 20:28

The fact that you've found it in a place people tend to dump rubbish - doesn't that scream dodgy to you? Fgs, go buy one!

EdisonLightBulb · 23/08/2018 20:29

I had my handbag stolen from my kitchen, it turned it with nothing in it a week later in a field.

CrunchieFriday · 23/08/2018 20:29

FGS pick up the bag and take it home. Leave a poster saying "bag found" and your mobile number. If they can describe the bag....and where they bought it...you hand it back.

Put the same on your local FB page. It might be worth ringing your local police in the morning...some forces have way too much to do and don't have the resources to deal with lost property....or it might just be crucial evidence in the latest of a series of nasty muggings/bag snatching crimes.

As PP's have said It might belong to someone who has saved up for months to buy a bag/can't afford to lose it, and it is a pretty shitty thing to do not to at least try to return it.

EdisonLightBulb · 23/08/2018 20:30

In case your wondering how it got back to me, neighbours kids found it and neighbour knew I had had mine stolen by an opportunist.

Unfortunately it was ruined by the weather.

Aintnothingbutaheartache · 23/08/2018 20:32

Keep it. It’s an empty bag. The police won’t give a shit about it.

Clionba · 23/08/2018 20:34

Well this has polarised MN! She can't get it now anyway because it's been chucked into one of those fenced off leccy places.
She's going to take a pic for me , though, because I really want to know what it looks like.

VanGoghsDog · 23/08/2018 20:35

Worried the police will laugh at you? yeah....I'm really sure that's exactly why you didn't just take it to the police straight away.

CoughLaughFart · 23/08/2018 20:36

See my post above.

Yeah, but you could be anybody.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 23/08/2018 20:41

Keep it. No identifying details, apparently unused, not a ridiculous Guccis-type value.

Finders-keepers. It is yours.

GorgonLondon · 23/08/2018 20:43

Police don't take lost property any more. I found a wallet recently and they wouldn't take it. They told me to take it to the bank (identified by the debit card inside) instead. The bank were incredibly suspicious and it took me two visits and about 20 minutes discussion before they would agree to take it. FFS

Nicknacky · 23/08/2018 20:45

cough You are right, I could be anyone. But the point stands. Empty handbags don’t get there by themselves so there is no harm done reporting it.

Folk on this website have called police for far less. No police call handler will have an issue with the op calling in. I frequently have the call centre call to ask about possible incidents when someone has called with similar information.

Nicknacky · 23/08/2018 20:46

gorgon Many Police offices still do.

WhatAnAbsolutePenis · 23/08/2018 20:48

I'm a detective too.

OP take the bag. It's against the law to litter which it is currently doing. You will save me from hours of paper work.
Time which could be spent solving real crimes.
HiYAH! 🙅‍♀️

SchadenfreudePersonified · 23/08/2018 20:55

Folk on this website have called police for far less.

Folk on this website ha cut off their entire family because of a late birthday card fir their dog!

O Keep the bag. No-one is going to look for it. If you see anything asking for information re: a stolen or lost bag of that description, you can come forward.

But you won't,

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 23/08/2018 20:55

Yeah, but you could be anybody

Well, that's the entire internet for you.