Would you let an Amazon delivery man go into your house while you’re out?

FROM underneath doormats to inside the neighbours’ bins, delivery drivers can pick some rather unsafe places to leave parcels.

But Amazon’s solution to the problem may not provide much comfort to homeowners worried about security.

The online shopping giant is suggesting customers should trust their delivery men with access to their homes and possessions – by allowing them to let themselves in to leave parcels inside.

The new service, called Amazon Key, will require customers to have a ‘smart’ lock on their front door and a camera, which they can buy from the company. Couriers scan a barcode on the package, which then needs to be verified by Amazon – who will check the package is at the right address, at the correct time and with the right barcode.

Once the package is verified, the camera starts recording and the courier will be able to use an app to unlock the smart lock.

Customers will receive a phone message and can choose whether to watch the delivery live via the camera, or receive a short video after the delivery is complete.

Although the system will eliminate shoppers’ worries of their parcels being left in strange places if they’re not at home, it may raise concerns over security. Peter Larsen, Amazon vice president of delivery technology, said: ‘This is not an experiment for us. This is a core part of the Amazon shopping experience from this point forward.’

The retail giant is launching the service in 38 cities in the US in November and is selling an Amazon Key starter kit – including a Cloud Cam camera and the smart lock – for £189 ($250). The service is currently being advertised only for Amazon’s Prime scheme members. Mr Larsen said: ‘Amazon Key gives customers peace of mind knowing their orders have been safely delivered to their homes and are waiting for them when they walk through their doors.’

Amazon confirmed the Key system will also be able to be used by others, such as cleaners and dog walkers, with home owners able to grant them access when not at home. The tech firm has trialled a range of methods for delivering parcels, including running a trial of drone delivery, known as Prime Air, in Cambridgeshire.