20. Offences of temporary deprivation

Theft involves an intention to deprive another permanently of their property. The criminal law has also devised offences involving temporary deprivation of property including the taking of vehicles and the taking of vessels, both of which are currently dealt with in s 12 of the Theft Act 1968. The Theft Act 1968 also includes another offence of temporary deprivation: removal of articles from places open to the public. In this case, the article must be removed from the building or from its grounds before the actus reus and mens rea of the offence can be completed. In other words, removal from the building to the grounds or vice versa will suffice.