Black Friday warning after 'porch pirate' theft reports rocket 87%

Police recorded an 87% rise in parcel theft reports over the past year, while only 1.6% of reported cases resulted in a charge, research commissioned by mail technology firm Quadient has found.

The figures come ahead of Black Friday and the Christmas shopping period, when online orders and home deliveries typically increase. December was the busiest month for recorded parcel theft last year, with police forces logging 1,830 cases.

The research estimated that nearly one in five households had experienced a parcel being stolen from a doorstep. But among people who said a delivery had been taken, only 28% said they reported it to police. Fewer than one in 20 reported thefts led to an arrest, according to the figures.

Quadient said the data was obtained through freedom of information requests to police forces. The research also looked at what had been taken. Of people who had experienced parcel theft, 27% said clothing, shoes or accessories were stolen; 20% cited beauty products or cosmetics, and 18% electronics or gadgets. More than one in five said a Christmas gift had been taken.

West Yorkshire recorded the highest number of reported parcel thefts among the areas listed, with 1,746 cases. Northamptonshire followed with 1,523, and Essex with 1,355.

Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, of Quadient, said the findings showed reports had reached the highest level in the company’s annual study. She said secure collection options should be made easier for customers to select when placing orders.

Bourgeais-Crémel said parcels left outside for extended periods could create an opportunity for theft. She argued that a delivery should be considered successful only when a parcel reaches its customer safely, rather than merely being left at the doorstep.

The findings highlight a gap between the estimated prevalence of doorstep theft and the number of cases reported to police. The reported charge rate is based on recorded theft reports, not on all parcels said to have been stolen.

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