BRITAIN: Welsh police yesterday appealed to pedestrians who took thousands of pounds that was thrown away at a busy town centre crossing to give it back.
Pandemonium broke out in Aberystwyth on Monday when a man threw bundles of £20 notes into the street shouting: "Who wants free money?" Traffic came to a halt as pedestrians and drivers got down on their hands and knees and gathered the money into their pockets.
Police believe around £5,000 was sent blowing in the wind by the unknown benefactor, a 40-year-old man, who promptly drove off and was later arrested for driving offences at nearby Aberaeron. A police investigation to establish the source of the money is continuing.
Officers acknowledge that it is neither a criminal offence to throw money away, nor illegal to pick it up. But they appealed for anyone who took any of the money to hand it in.
It is unknown whether those who hand in money have the right to reclaim it if it is found to have been legally obtained.
Town businessman John Morris witnessed the incident and captured what he called "bedlam" on his CCTV system. "I just couldn't believe my eyes. People were shocked and just couldn't believe it," he said.