The Porch Pirates' Rise: Protecting Your Parcels from Theft
In the world of online shopping, a new breed of thief has emerged, preying on unsuspecting victims and causing a surge in parcel thefts. This issue has become a growing concern, with a staggering £666.5 million worth of parcels reported stolen across the UK in the last year alone. But here's where it gets controversial: many more thefts go unreported, leaving us with a mere glimpse of the true extent of this problem.
Take the story of Nicki Wedgwood, a 31-year-old charity worker from Hackney, east London. She ordered Christmas presents for her friends and family online, only to have them stolen right under her nose. The delivery driver left the packages in the lobby of her building, and by the time she returned from a quick errand, they were gone, ripped open and their contents vanished.
Wedgwood believes she encountered the thief in her hallway, a stranger with a Boris bike who she mistook for a neighbor's guest. "I said hello to him... I think he even said Merry Christmas," she recalls. This incident is just one of many for Wedgwood and her flatmates, who have had "so much stuff stolen over the years."
So, why has this crime become so rampant? Gary Winter, Vice President of Global Strategic Initiatives at Quadient, sheds some light on the matter. According to Winter, the increase in parcel thefts is not merely proportional to the rise of online shopping; it's a much bigger issue. "People see it as a low-level crime opportunity and are taking advantage of it," he explains.
Leicestershire has emerged as the UK's hotspot for parcel thefts, with city and town centers posing the greatest risk. As Winter points out, "It's more likely that you haven't got a safe place, that you're living in an apartment or a multi-occupied building." During peak delivery season, typically in December, piles of parcels accumulate in lobbies and on doorsteps, providing an easy target for thieves in busy areas where neighbors are often strangers.
Darren Walmsley, Vice Chair of the National Courier and Despatch Association, attributes part of the problem to a change in delivery methods. In the past, far more deliveries required a signature, ensuring a secure transaction. However, with the rise of companies like Amazon, which popularized delivering items without proof of delivery, the risk of theft has increased. Contactless delivery during the COVID pandemic further exacerbated the issue.
Independent courier companies offering same-day services are "the only guaranteed service there is," according to Walmsley. These couriers have more time per delivery, allowing them to assist customers, especially the elderly, in getting their packages inside. Overstretched delivery drivers, on the other hand, often leave parcels outside or fail to secure doors properly, creating an opportunity for thieves.
"It's a large part of the problem," says Wedgwood, who admits she wouldn't want to do their job. The issue lies in the pursuit of the cheapest delivery options, which usually means a lower-quality service. Walmsley advocates for opting for same-day delivery when possible, as it can be more cost-effective for larger or higher-value items, especially when collection and delivery locations are close.
While the value of Wedgwood's stolen parcels was relatively low, ranging from trinket gifts to books, branded sportswear is a more lucrative target for thieves. Winter's research shows that sports brand packaging is often targeted, with these items ending up at car boot sales or online marketplaces.
Opportunistic neighbors are also culprits in this crime. Asif, a resident of Derbyshire, had a parcel stolen from behind his bin, and he suspects his neighbor was responsible. Maddie from Bristol had a similar experience when her weekly Gousto box went missing, only to find evidence suggesting her neighbors were the thieves.
Catching parcel thieves can be challenging, even with police involvement. Video doorbell footage can sometimes provide evidence, as in the case of Peter Storer, who was caught on camera stealing from a woman's doorstep in Leicester. Winter emphasizes the importance of reporting thefts to the police, as it helps ensure the issue receives the attention it deserves.
Some people have taken matters into their own hands, with videos of pranksters tricking doorstep thieves, or "porch pirates," going viral on social media. These pranks involve setting up "bait packages" that detonate paint bombs or glitter explosions when picked up, providing a satisfying comeuppance for the thieves. Alec Armbruster, an Arizona-based software engineer who has had multiple parcels stolen, finds these videos amusing as a way to "take back control."
Armbruster created his own prank video, filling a bait package with used cat litter. While his prank didn't stop parcel thefts, it provided him with a sense of excitement and entertainment. He believes such pranks are popular because they offer a satisfying sense of justice, especially when thieves think they're stealing something valuable but end up with just dust.
To prevent parcel thefts, Winter suggests that brands could do more to anonymize parcels or make them less attractive to thieves. Carriers should emphasize to their delivery agents the importance of not leaving parcels in visible places. Consumers also play a role in preventing these thefts by ensuring they are home to receive deliveries and providing the correct address. Walmsley recommends considering signed-for options or carriers with a proven track record of good delivery service.
Winter agrees, advising consumers to select out-of-home delivery options if they live in an apartment or on a visible street. He recommends corner shop and locker deliveries, acknowledging his vested interest in lockers as Quadient provides smart parcel locker solutions, but genuinely believing it's a convenient way to reduce the risk.
Since her parcels were stolen, Wedgwood has become "quite paranoid" when ordering online. She texts her housemates to fetch packages immediately if she's out, and her flatmates now ask for the name on the parcel before letting couriers in. She's not taking any chances, especially since she believes her parcel thief returned last year, leaving a Boris bike in the hallway.
Wedgwood hasn't had any luck asking her landlord to improve security, so she's determined not to let the thieves win. Unlike Armbruster, who moved to a more rural area to stop his parcels from being stolen, Wedgwood is unwilling to find a new home because of this issue. "The rent is really low. I love the area. Also, I just don't want to let the thieves win," she says. "Why should I let them?"
