Police warn about doorstep delivery thefts in buildup to Christmas

Police are urging online Christmas shoppers to be vigilant and take steps to reduce their chances of falling victim to doorstep parcel thieves.

With the Christmas countdown now in full swing, many people are ordering items online and having them delivered to their homes - which makes this a prime time for opportunistic theft.

If delivered to your home and left unattended, parcels can be easily stolen by doorstep thieves.

In previous years, around this time of year, Nottinghamshire Police has received reports involving the theft of parcels, containing hundreds of pounds worth of goods, left outside people’s homes.

With this in mind, we are encouraging everyone to take appropriate action when ordering items online, ensuring they are protected to help prevent parcel theft.

Superintendent Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s important for people to take extra precautions as we edge into the Christmas period.

"Things you could do to reduce the risk of doorstep theft include tracking your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery.

“This type of crime is preventable, and we’re asking everyone to do all that they can to stop this crime happening.

“Ask for your deliveries to be diverted to trusted neighbours or friends if you’re not going to be home. If this isn’t possible, attempt to rearrange to a time when you know you will be in or choose to collect it instead.

“We’re asking everyone to work together over the festive period and beyond, to eliminate this type of crime in our communities.”

Here are some things you could do to reduce the risk of parcel theft:

• Track your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery

• Install a video doorbell; this can be connected to your mobile so you are notified immediately of any delivery, and is easier to install than a full CCTV system

• Install a security light and/or CCTV

• Arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a trusted neighbour, or other family members who will be at home

• Use an off-site locker service for frequent deliveries, or for expensive items; these parcel boxes are more likely to be in busy, safer locations - such as supermarkets - rather than secluded areas which could be targeted by thieves

If you have ordered a delivery which has not arrived, first contact the delivery company and sender.

If you think a parcel has been stolen or notice anyone acting suspicious, you can make a report online or by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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