Return of Property

Have the police confiscated your electronic devices?

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In criminal cases, the police often take electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, or even gaming consoles. These might be your devices or belong to people you live with.

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If your devices were used as evidence against you, the police may have a case to destroy them. However, if any of the devices were not used as evidence against you, you have the right to get them back.

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However, we know from experience that getting your devices back isn’t always easy.

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At Next Chapter Scotland, we believe in a rights-based approach. If the state uses the law to hold people accountable, then it should be held to the same laws. You are not asking for favours - just for your rights to be respected.

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We’ve created a simple method to help you get your devices back:

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Sample Letter

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To the Reviewing and Investigation Unit, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Case Number (or if you don’t have it, details like trial or sentencing dates)

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I am requesting the return of the following devices (list them) that were not used as evidence against me.

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If you are refusing to return these items, could you provide the specific law or section of an Act that allows you to keep them?

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If no legal reason exists, please let me know the best way to arrange their return.

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Yours sincerely,
Your Name

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Send this email to: riu@copfs.gov.uk

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Important: Police often destroy items they no longer need as evidence, so it's important to act quickly to prevent the destruction of your property.

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