Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Local Police issue advice after a rise in doorstep parcel theft in the area
Local police dropped me a line recently via their Met Engage initiative regarding a spate of doorstep thefts in the area.
Having recently had a vegetable delivery stolen sometime between 5.30 am and 8.00am, I'm guessing that these particular thieves are early risers, and I hope they enjoyed a hearty winter veg stew. I didn't report it to the police as I got a refund but I suppose I should have done.
Yesterday, a neighbour came searching for a lost parcel and seemed surprised that doorstep parcel theft was a thing, which somewhat surprised me.
Anyway, in case this type of crime is a revelation to anyone else, here's the Met's wholly sensible advice (in future I will be diligent in doing the last one. I imagine that, as very often you can get a refund for non-delivery, this is an under-reported crime and one that I suspect the criminals think is "victimless")
- Where possible, arrange for parcels to be delivered when someone is at home.
- Consider using trusted neighbour, local shops, or secure locker as a delivery point.
- Request “signed for” delivery options where available.
- Avoid leaving delivery instructions that state parcels can be left in visible locations.
- If you are expecting a delivery, try to track it and collect it promptly.
- Consider installing doorbell cameras, CCTV, or motion-activated lightning as a deterrent
- Report any suspicious behaviour in your area as soon as possible.
Tags for Forum Posts: doorstep theft, parcel theft
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest
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This would not even be an issue if delivery companies had not switched to dumping packages on door steps as opposed to doing what they did until recently which is ringing a door bell, waiting, leaving it with a neighbour if you were not in and attempting redelivery if needed. This should not be yet another drain on public and police resources and is totally the problem of companies like Amazon etc forcing delivery companies into a pricing race for the bottom.
The way to stop this is claim a refund from the supplier company. Only when it hurts their bottom line with this ridiculous nonsense stop.
I walked up my road the other day to retrieve a parcel a neighbour just had notification had been left outside her front door. As I did so I watched a delivery driver drop a parcel on another neighbours doorstep. He took a photo and walked away. Did not bother with the doorbell. I knew that neighbour was away. So I walked past him, picked up the parcel and walked down the road. No challenge what so ever. Turned out when I got it home he had delivered it to the wrong doorstep so I managed to unite it with the right owner….beggars belief
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson
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There is always some at home in my house but I’ve found parcels left behind flower pots, on the doorstep and on one notable occasion in the recycling bin. Delivery companies need to take some responsibility.
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Permalink Reply by Rich
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I mean I guess the Delivery companies do take responsibility as AndrewAW1's point below. I'm assuming the calculate the total lost of packages for this reasons is < the cost of redelivery. (Although pretty annoying if the thing been delivered is irreplaceable)
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Permalink Reply by AndrewAW1
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Worth bearing in mind that unless you've explicitly agreed for parcels to be left then they don't count as delivered until handed into your possession.
Don't bother dealing with the delivery company. One, you're not the delivery company's customer, the retailer you purchased from is. Your contract is with the retailer. Two, they're useless.
Section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act is the specific legislation to quote:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/29
Retailers are aware that these delivery companies fail delivery but they have pushed delivery fees as low as they can go which means you end up with drivers having to make an unrealistic number of deliveries meaning the current service.
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