{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1968/60",
  "title": "Theft Act 1968",
  "long_title": "An Act to revise the law of England and Wales as to theft and similar or associated offences, and in connection therewith to make provision as to criminal proceedings by one party to a marriage against the other, and to make certain amendments extending beyond England and Wales in the Post Office Act 1953 and other enactments; and for other purposes connected therewith.",
  "citation": "1968 c. 60",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1968",
  "number": "60",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1968-07-26",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2013-05-28",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 3,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/introduction",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/definition-of-theft",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Definition of “theft”",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Basic definition of theft.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "“Dishonestly”",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "“Appropriates”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "“Property”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-4",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "“Belonging to another”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-5",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "“With the intention of permanently depriving the other of it”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-6",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/definition-of-theft"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Theft, robbery, burglary, etc.",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Theft.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Robbery.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-8",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Burglary.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-9",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Aggravated burglary.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-10",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Removal of articles from places open to the public.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Taking motor vehicle or other conveyance without authority.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-12",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12A",
      "heading": "Aggravated vehicle-taking.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-12A",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Abstracting of electricity.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Extension to thefts from mails outside England and Wales, and robbery etc. on such a theft.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-14",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/theft-robbery-burglary-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Fraud and blackmail",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Obtaining property by deception.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-15",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15A",
      "heading": "Obtaining a money transfer by deception.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-15A",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15B",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15B",
      "heading": "Section 15A: supplementary.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-15B",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-16",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "False accounting.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Liability of company officers for certain offences by company.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-18",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/19",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "False statements by company directors, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-19",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/20",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Suppression, etc. of documents.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-20",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/21",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": "Blackmail.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-21",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/fraud-and-blackmail"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/offences-relating-to-goods-stolen-etc",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Offences relating to goods stolen etc.",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/22",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "22",
      "heading": "Handling stolen goods.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-22",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/offences-relating-to-goods-stolen-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/23",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "23",
      "heading": "Advertising rewards for return of goods stolen or lost.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-23",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/offences-relating-to-goods-stolen-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/24",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "24",
      "heading": "Scope of offences relating to stolen goods.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-24",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/offences-relating-to-goods-stolen-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/24A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "24A",
      "heading": "Dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-24A",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/offences-relating-to-goods-stolen-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/possession-of-housebreaking-implements-etc",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Possession of housebreaking implements, etc.",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/25",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "25",
      "heading": "Going equipped for stealing, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-25",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/possession-of-housebreaking-implements-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/enforcement-and-procedure",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Enforcement and procedure",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/26",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "26",
      "heading": "Search for stolen goods.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-26",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement-and-procedure"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/27",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "27",
      "heading": "Evidence and procedure on charge of theft or handling stolen goods.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-27",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement-and-procedure"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/28",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "28",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-28",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement-and-procedure"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/29",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "29",
      "heading": "Jurisdiction of quarter sessions, and summary trial.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-29",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement-and-procedure"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/general-and-consequential-provisions",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "General and consequential provisions",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
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      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/30",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "30",
      "heading": "Spouses and civil partners",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-30",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general-and-consequential-provisions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/31",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "31",
      "heading": "Effect on civil proceedings and rights.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-31",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general-and-consequential-provisions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/32",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "32",
      "heading": "Effect on existing law and construction of references to offences.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-32",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general-and-consequential-provisions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/33",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "33",
      "heading": "Miscellaneous and consequential amendments, and repeal.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-33",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/supplementary",
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      "heading": "Supplementary",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/34",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "34",
      "heading": "Interpretation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-34",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/supplementary"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/35",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "35",
      "heading": "Commencement and transitional provisions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-35",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/36",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "36",
      "heading": "Short title, and general provisions as to Scotland and Northern Ireland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/section-36",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/supplementary"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Offences of Taking, etc. Deer or Fish",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-1/paragraph-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Taking or destroying fish",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-1/paragraph-2",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2",
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      "heading": "Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/part/I",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/1",
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      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/2",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/3",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/4",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/5",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/6",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/7",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/8",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-2/paragraph-8",
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      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/9",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/10",
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      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/11",
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    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/12",
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      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/part/II",
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      "number": "II",
      "heading": "Other amendments extending beyond England and Wales",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-2/part-II",
      "extent": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/part/III",
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      "number": "III",
      "heading": "Amendments limited to England and Wales",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-2/part-III",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Repeals",
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      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3/part/I",
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      "heading": "Penal Enactments superseded by this Act",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-3/part-I",
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    },
    {
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      "heading": "Obsolete and Redundant Enactments",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-3/part-II",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3/part/III",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "III",
      "heading": "Consequential Repeals",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theft-act-1968/schedule-3/part-III",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
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    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "substituted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 12(7)(a)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2024/10",
      "affecting_title": "Automated Vehicles Act 2024",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 2 para. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "words inserted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 26 heading",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2026/20",
      "affecting_title": "Crime and Policing Act 2026",
      "affecting_provisions": "s. 171(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "inserted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 26A-26C",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2026/20",
      "affecting_title": "Crime and Policing Act 2026",
      "affecting_provisions": "s. 171(2)"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T17:35:11.985343+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}