The message
from "suspicious minds" contains these words:

Sorry about the long reply but this is the actual law and I have underlined
the parts which could apply to the keeping of balls and fruit etc

However, you have not mentioned conversion.

Depriving someone of their property without legal right, but with no
intention of depriving them of it permanently (legal right might be for
instance, the police removing evidence) is a civil offence, and usually,
a criminal offence, too.

The difference being, you can sue someone for conversion and they
*MIGHT* get a criminal conviction if you win, and you might be awarded
damages, but a thief has to be prosecuted (usually by the state, though
you can in some cases initiate a private prosecution) and compensation
is seldom awarded to the aggrieved party.

I don't think you can sue someone for recompense if the property is
stolen, BICBW.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/