Forums Forums Wirral Information Ask - Wiki Wirral Handling Stolen Goods Unknowingly?

From time to time my gardening customers ask me to do a bit of shed attic clearing. Recently done one where there was a number of tied up bags so I thought would check what I was taking tip. Turned out to be a lot of new sealed items all the same. Not particularly valueable. Retailing on ebay around 10 for £15 inc posting. Now I know they are nothing to do with my customer but possibly her son. Done a bit of searching to see if a burglary at a potential source but no luck.
Don't particularly want to ask the customer about them.
Obviously would like to benefit from selling them but don't want to drop myself in the proverbial. Added complication in that the customer works for the police!!!

I would worry Fish, I have never heard of cash con:::ters being done for handling stolen goods, and they do it on a daily basis. I think it is a case of if you handled them knowing them to be stolen that breaks the law.

Actually came across a recent burglary at a potential source..although miles away...have asked the local constabulary there as they have a crime number..at least want to cover my back. .
Just read up a little "Believeing" and "Knowing" them to be stolen are not the same.
I will do my due diligence before selling them.... may even offer a few free ones on here!!

Ok I will take a chance and give you a tenner for the lot

Why don't you point them out to the owner of the shed and ask them where they came from? They may have been honestly acquired, and he may not be interested in what you do with them.

At least you will have taken 'due diligence' to ascertain whether you may be handling stolen goods or not. Even taking them to the tip might be construed as illegally disposing of evidence or something.

I'm intrigued to know what is in them

Have you got batteries and an air pump at the ready?

Just a thought . Could your customer have asked you to get rid because they know what they are and don't want to be seen to be associated with them?

T

I have no idea what you are suggesting DD

Very boring items really..DD has got me guessing.. EX. if they had been honestly acquired I wouldn't think someone would have gone to the trouble of re packing them as they have. Nothing else in the shed that might have given me a clue and not the sort of thing you would specifically target bit heavy and bulky and lowish value. Possibly someone pilfering them over time from a place of work.
Possibly a job lot acquired to sell on...
Spooky as I was typing the police phoned me...at least not from the burglary in Yorkshire.....There advice....if don't hear from them in a week or two do with them what I want

Ok I raise my bid to 15 quid for the lot

You would be quids in Dilly..reckon about £250 worth at retail prices..Not that you would have any use for all of them....

When in the clear. think I will photo a part and put it on here in the "what is it thread" and the first correct guess or guesses pmd to me can have a free one.

Come on fish, give us a clue

As its the subject of a police investigation I am obliged not to say anything that may be taken down and used in evidence against me.

and its not knickers !!

Unless the police gave you this instruction in writing it's unprovable. I'd be inclined to write to them or send them an email confirming what you have been told, in writing, and tell them you are going to sell them.

That way, it's on record and you can show you have done all you can to obey the law. You do not want to find yourself prosecuted because someone - possibly inadvertently - gave you wrong information.