interfering with post

[SyncMaster]

Hello

I posted my son an envelope which he claims not to have received. It was clearly addressed to him and nobody else.

Although he is just turned 17, is it legal for anyone else at home to retain/open it?

Thanks

 

[123Simples]

Hello

I posted my son an envelope which he claims not to have received. It was clearly addressed to him and nobody else.

Although he is just turned 17, is it legal for anyone else at home to retain/open it?

Thanks

Your question suggests that you think the envelope did arrive at the address - when it is possible it never even got to the address. If it did get to the address, then it is probably more a moral question rather than a legality, as to the envelope being concealed, or opened by someone else

 

[SyncMaster]

Your question suggests that you think the envelope did arrive at the address - when it is possible it never even got to the address. If it did get to the address, then it is probably more a moral question rather than a legality, as to the envelope being concealed, or opened by someone else

Theres a million moral/immoral issues - good and bad..
The question is: is it illegal to tamper with the post of another?
In this case the specifics include: It's a relation, evidently not living with me, he's not 18. It was his birthday some weeks ago. He never got his gift.

I'm not saying any of the following:
1. Son's mum is a heroine addict and she knew his gift was coming
2. Parental Alienation exists and I am the targeted parent. Theres a lot of kids out there who are cut off from the other parent for reasons to do with the other parent - refer you to fnf.org.uk
3. My son is a compulsive liar and just wanted me extract "double the gift".
4. My son is an addict and mum took the gift to prevent him cashing it in to get his fix.
5. I may not even have a son, it's hypothetical.

In this case it is absolutely possible it got to the address. The only clue it came from dad is that my postal town is quite small and remote.

In this particular case I want to know what the law is. This is a legal forum. You can assume this instance it was moral and nothing else.

 

[SyncMaster]

Well before you call in special branch it could just be lost/delayed by royal mail

statistically it wont be. but obviously a valid observation.

 

[123Simples]

It is against the law to open, destroy, hide or delay any post that is addressed to someone else. This is set out in the Postal Services Act.

 

[123Simples]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/26/section/84/enacted

 

[SyncMaster]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/26/section/84/enacted

That's perfect. Thank you for this.