Overview
- The Postal Service Act 2000 makes it an offence to intentionally open or delay a postal packet not addressed to you.
- The law adds a tougher offence if you know or suspect the item was misdelivered and you intend to act to the addressee’s detriment.
- Conviction on summary charge can bring a Level 5 fine or up to six months in prison according to the Act as cited in recent coverage.
- Royal Mail tells people to cross out wrong names, write phrases such as “Not known at this address,” or drop unaddressed items in a postbox so the service can return them free of charge.
- Recent articles published over the weekend have clarified that delivery is by address not name, warned people to avoid opening neighbours’ or ex-partners’ post, and aimed to raise public awareness rather than report any change in the law.