Depends where I found it. My son found £20 at the school gates and handed it in (I was there!) A month later they gave him it back as it wasn't claimed.
I suppose much depends on your own circumstances. I wouldn't go to the hassle of handing in a fiver and I wouldn't go to the hassle to look for a fiver.
If we're talking a wedge of cash....I would hand it in.
I once found a wallet in Cornwall, I was shocked when I opened it to find hundreds of pounds, I closed it very quick in case I was seen, I suddenly felt very guilty, I couldn't wait to hand it in to the Police, it had already been reported lost.
I'd do same as you RATTER. Found an item of jewellery a few weeks back. Reported it to the Police and was told if nobody claimed it within 28 days it was mine. They didn't and it's now mine without any feelings of guilt.
Anything up to £10 would go in our charity "found money" jar.....I often find £1 coins....being so near the ground....
£20 and above to the police station......I have found a wallet and a purse which I handed in.....the young lass who claimed the purse was in tears at getting it back.
I can recall being young and broke so the loss of £20 could be horrible for someone....x
Sometimes the people you hand it in to are none too honest. Many moons ago a schoolfriend of mine found a ten bob note outside a jewellers. She took it in to the jewellers and they told her it would be hers if no one claimed it within a week. When she went back a week later they denied all knowledge of her ever handing it in. Ten shillings would have been a lot of money to a teenager back then!
Yep....same with my ten year old son, Cupid....he went to the loo at a hockey match and found a $50 note.
When he told me he'd handed it in at the desk I was a bit iffy....took him back to the desk to ask for a receipt......but guess what?
They denied all knowledge.......☺