Mapped: UK’s worst hotspots for doorstep parcel thefts revealed
New research reveals £666 million worth of parcels were stolen from people’s doorsteps by June.
According to a Freedom of Information request sent by parcel locker company Quadient to 27 police forces across the UK, Leicestershire was the top hotspot for doorstep thefts, with 799 incidents reported by June, followed by Hertfordshire (767) and Kent (750).
The company also found that thefts have increased by £290 million over the last 12 months, with the average value of stolen packages rising from £120 to £138.
A survey of 2,000 consumers by market research firm Censuswide found that those living in urban areas are also more likely to experience burglary, as apartments and shared buildings without secure parcel management systems are particularly vulnerable. Around 27 per cent of reported thefts took place in Greater London, while cities such as Bristol and Glasgow were also package theft hotspots.
As a result, homeowners say they began installing their own deterrents to keep their packages safe; 40 percent of respondents who recently purchased a package purchased a video doorbell or security camera. Another 38 percent stated that they changed their delivery instructions and left the packages in safety deposit boxes or at a close neighbor.
The survey also found that package theft is vastly underreported. While 79 percent of respondents said package theft should be taken more seriously by authorities, only 22 percent of those who lost their deliveries reported it to the police.
34 percent said they did not report the damage because they did not think the retailer or courier would refund them. 28 percent said they did not think the police would take any action.
The impact of parcel theft means one in ten victims say they have stopped shopping online. The survey found that young people between the ages of 22 and 34 are more likely to report a stolen package.
Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, European locker automation manager at Quadient, said the increase in package theft showed that many people no longer wanted packages left on their doorstep.
“Package theft has increased significantly in the past year and with peak delivery season approaching, the message from consumers is clear: they no longer want their packages left on their doorstep,” he added.
A Leicestershire Police spokesman said: “There are a number of steps people can take. help prevent themselves from being a victim of package theft. This may include tracking packages to ensure someone is home for delivery, arranging for your package to be delivered to a trusted person, or using an off-site locker service.
“Anyone who is subjected to package theft should report it to the police. You can report it online at: www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101.”
