Yahoo News Parcel thefts: What to do if your package is stolen and how to stop it
Parcel theft is on the rise across the UK as criminals target people's doorsteps, research shows. What should homeowners do if they're targeted?
The number of parcels being stolen from people's porches and gardens is rising, two separate reports have found.
Two logistics companies have published data which shows criminals, known as "porch pirates", are targeting doorsteps across the UK.
Parcel theft more than trebled between 2019 and 2022, according to mailing equipment specialists Qadient, the Sunday Times reported.
The company used freedom of information requests to police forces to obtain the data.
It showed that about 2,700 parcel thefts were reported to police in 2019, but this figure rose to almost 10,500 by last year. The average stolen parcel is worth £115.
Ian Caminsky, from Qadient, said: “Parcel theft is a growing issue in the UK.
"In the US there is a huge problem with ‘porch pirates’ following delivery trucks around neighbourhoods and stealing parcels, and the police figures indicate criminals in the UK are increasingly recognising the same lucrative opportunity.
“Police forces themselves have stated that the number of reported incidents is just the tip of the iceberg; after all when parcels go missing, many people will often contact retailers and couriers, rather than the police."
A separate study published earlier this month out by delivery software firm Metapack showed the number of claims for missing parcels increased by 59% in the year up to June compared to the previous 12 months.
Its chief customer officer, Tom Forbes, told The Guardian: “I don’t think any of the carriers are bad, but they have very different doorstep policies.
Read more: 'Parcel theft' from property in Essex sees police investigation launched
“We have the data in terms of the number of claims going up, and we can see those claims are validated.
“Whether they’re stolen from a doorstep, or whether it’s an operational failure, I can’t tell. I doubt it’s operational, though, as carriers’ processes and procedures actually get better every year.”
How common is parcel theft?
In research published in July 2021, Citizens Advice said 5.5 million people in the UK had a parcel lost or stolen every year.
Figures from Qadient estimate that 10,485 parcels were stolen between August 2021 and July 2021.
Metapack says parcel theft increased by 59% last year.
What should you do if someone steals your parcel?
If your package does not arrive, you should first check with your neighbours to see if it has been mistakenly left with them.
Another idea is to check if the courier left it in a "safe place", such as a porch, under a plant, in the garden or at the back door.
If you cannot locate the package, start by contacting whoever was meant to deliver it. This could be a retailer or delivery firm.
If you were asked to select a "safe place" for the courier to leave the parcel and it was stolen, then it's your responsibility.
However, it's the courier's fault if it was stolen and you did not nominate a "safe place".
Many couriers now take photos of the parcel when they deliver it to prove it has arrived.
Will the police do anything about a stolen parcel?
If you think your parcel was stolen, you can report it to police, but consumers are advised to go through their retailer or delivery company.
Unless you have evidence of the theft, the police may not be able to pursue an investigation.
The police advise people to take a number of steps to prevent doorstep theft.
The Metropolitan Police offers a range of advice on the issue, including:
Install a security light or a video doorbell
Track your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home when it arrives
Arrange for the parcel to be delivered to a trusted neighbour or,
Use an off-site locker service for deliveries.
