Lauren has picked up a driving license with the intention to steal it however has been disturbed by a member of the public, so she has dropped it and ran away, is this still theft as she had the intention and all the elements of the theft?
If she dropped it where it originally was, I do not think the intention is enough. It is not the thought, but the action(s) that can be charged.
I am not a legal expert, but I can provide some general information. In most legal systems, theft typically requires the act of taking someone else's property without their permission and with the intention of permanently depriving them of it. However, the specific laws and definitions of theft may vary between jurisdictions.
In the scenario you described, Lauren had the intention to steal the driving license and had possession of it momentarily. However, she dropped it and ran away without actually taking it. Whether this would be considered theft may depend on the laws in the relevant jurisdiction and how they define the elements of theft. Some jurisdictions may require both the intent to steal and the successful act of taking the property for it to be considered theft, while others may have broader definitions.
To get an accurate and legally sound answer to your question, it is best to consult a legal professional familiar with the laws in the specific jurisdiction you are inquiring about.
Determining whether an action constitutes theft depends on the specific legal definition in the jurisdiction in question. However, based on the scenario you described, it may not be considered theft since Lauren did not actually obtain possession of the driving license.
To provide a more specific answer, it would be necessary to know the legal framework of the jurisdiction and how it defines theft. In general, theft typically requires the unlawful taking or appropriation of someone else's property without their consent and with the intention to permanently deprive them of it. Since Lauren dropped the license without taking possession of it, an argument could be made that she did not fulfill the requirement of taking possession, negating her ability to commit theft.
However, keep in mind that laws can vary, and other factors, such as the intent to steal, could potentially be relevant in some jurisdictions. It is always important to consult legal professionals or refer to relevant laws in the specific jurisdiction for a definitive answer.