Uni certificate sent to the wrong address

[Sky1992]

Hello hope you are all well. I have an issue going on and was wondering if anyone has been in the similar situation or can advice.

I recently moved (in march) and didnt inform my university. I had no idea they were due to and my foundation degree certificate to me and I didnt inform them that I moved address which is obvz my fault. However I have recently been accepted to complete my full BA hons and in order for them to even give me my full BA hons certificate they have said I need to return the foundation degree certificate or they cannot give the new certificate.
Because I didnt update my address it went to the old property which is a council property. I did knock on the door and leave 2 notes behind asking if she could give me a call but I haven't heard a response. I was told by royal mail it was delivered this month and signed by a woman living there naomi at 12:45. I spoke to the local council and they said they wont be getting involved and I spoke to royal mail and they said it is a criminal offence to hold onto someones item or even open it if it wasnt sent to you and you can report it to the police which I have done so.
What I want to know is it actually a crime and what are the chances the police would even investigate it further.
This certificate means so much to me I cant explain:( and before anyone claims it is my fault for not changing the address yes it is but I had no idea I was due a certificate and even if it went there by mistake she shouldn't have opened it or she should have returned it. It's a proper university certificate which I worked so hard for

What specifically is your question? I doubt the police would take it any further.

The uni will be able to give you a replacement FD certificate (for a fee), but it sounds like you're now doing a top up so would have had to give it back anyway.

My question is do you think the police would take it further as it is apparently a criminal offence to hold onto someone elses item that doesnt belong to u or in your name. And yes I need to give it back

You need to accept you messed up and you're not getting the certificate. There have been no criminal offences and wasting police time isn't going to resolve your problem. Pay for a replacement and move on.

No the police won't take it further.

There's a fair chance she's put it back in the post marked return to sender which is what I would do. The police aren't going to get involved in this (and shouldn't). Call up your uni and speak to a person to explain you do not have the certificate to return as it went to an old address and you have not been able to recover the certificate from your old address. It will not be the first time they've encountered this. You may need to be persistent and speak to a few people but they should sort it for you.

I thought you could always just buy duplicates? Just pay. I might be wrong however.

They will be able to reissue at a cost.

Just tell them that the original will not be able to be recovered .

Put it in writing via email and say you will take it further if they dont reissue.

Yes, it was your mistake but they are being awkward.

But no, the Police wont chase it up.

It won't be the first time someone hasn't been able to produce their certificate - they get misplaced, lost in the post, burnt in house fires and so on. The university may have asked you to return it, but you now just need to explain that that won't be possible. It is obvious that the new resident of your old home can't or won't produce it.