Preventing Stolen Doorstep Deliveries.

Preventing Stolen Doorstep Deliveries.

Dear Residents,

Preventing stolen doorstep deliveries

Please see below some practical advice to reduce the risk of being affected by the growing trend of theft of items left unattended by delivery drivers.

If a package is stolen from your doorstep after the delivery company marks it as delivered the responsibility usually falls on you or the retailers. The retailer (the seller) is legally responsible for refunding or replacing the item under UK Consumer Law, this is provided you did not explicitly authorise an unsafe or open location.

The package thieves are often call “Porch Pirates” normally when your parcel is stolen the person will open the stolen box immediately to sort through the contents, keeping or selling anything of value and discarding the rest.

If you are unsure of your rights then please contact Croydon Council Trading Standards via web site www.croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8407 1311 or by email Trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk

Here are some things you could do to reduce the risk of doorstep 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.

Arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a trusted neighbour, or other family members who will be at home; if you live in a flat, is there a concierge who could accept the parcel for you.

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.

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Message Sent By
Angela Dennis
(Police, PCSO, Broad Green Safer Neighbourhood Team)