Witholding somones post

[Miss Inquiry]

Is it illegal to hold onto somones post? If 2 people use the same post box and one party takes the others post and holds onto it for a few days before returning it rather than leaving it in the box, is that breaking any laws, where would the best place to find out be? Any suggestions?

[WaldoMcFroog]

It is an offence under S1(a) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000:

(1) It shall be an offence for a person intentionally and without lawful authority to intercept, at any place in the United Kingdom, any communication in the course of its transmission by means of�
(a) a public postal service; or


http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2000/ukpga_200 00023_en_2#pt1-ch1-pb1-l1g1

[Peter Pedant]

The post off ice has duty to deliver to the address on the envelope and isnt much interested if it goes astray from there....
BUT
There is also the offence of interfering with post communications which I think is separate to the one above.

Have a word with your neighbour and ask nicely if they can sort the mail and put back yours.
you could also add in a nice fashion that if you are late with any bills, you will look for the excess costs from her.....


PP