Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Huge surge in parcel and post thefts
The number of parcel and postal thefts in Kent rose by almost 60% last year to the highest total on record. Alarming figures obtained by this paper reveal there were 934 such incidents in the first 11 months of 2022 - up from 596 in the whole of 2021. Frustratingly, and despite a surge in the number of culprits being rumbled by doorbell cameras, 88% of the cases were closed without a suspect even being identified. Additionally, in 39 parcel theft reports the victim was unable to or declined to support further police action.
In the past year, there have been only six charges.
In one case, the victim or a key witness was either dead, or too ill to prosecute.
At the time of obtaining the figures through the Freedom of Information Act, 11 reports remained under investigation. Superintendent Pete Steenhuis said: “We have seen an increase in reports of thefts of parcels and letters, with 205 reports received in Kent in 2017 and 934 reports in 2022.
“It is important to note this is not an issue just in Kent, but nationally too. This could be down to a number of factors, including an increase in online shopping, especially over the pandemic period.
“Kent Police investigates all reports of theft and is committed to bringing those responsible to justice. Residents and business owners are always encouraged to take steps to reduce their chances of becoming victims of crime.
“Private CCTV, security lighting and alarms can be valuable tools in deterring criminals. “Other measures such as security marking and documenting valuables and ensuring nothing is left on display can also help to prevent burglary and theft. “Agree a safe place for parcel delivery if you know you are not going to be available when it arrives. “Reviewing any CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam opportunities is one of many inquiries officers will carry out when a crime is reported and can assist in identifying offenders. As well as this, monitored CCTV in a town or city centre helps police to respond quickly to incidents and arrest offenders.”
One Kentonline reader said they had been a victim of this crime “many times”, probably as a result of living on a main road and having parcels left outside.
They claimed most of the time courier firms did not ring the doorbell and instead chose to leave them by his front door. Another said they no longer had items delivered to their home and chose to pick them up from a shop or locker after having one stolen from their doorstep.
Others had experienced similar, saying the culprit is still yet to be caught despite having doorbell footage of the crime. Earlier this month, witnesses said they had seen a driver abandon a large bag of parcels in Bon Fleur Lane, in Coxheath, near Maidstone, prompting an investigation to be launched by delivery firm Evri.
A brazen thief was caught on CCTV stealing Christmas presents left out for the binmen last month in Chestfield, near Whitstable.
In Ashford, a man was caught on camera stealing parcels from a doorstep before returning to repeat the crime.
Last month, police arrested and bailed a man after sackfuls of deliveries were found dumped in a wooded area at the end of Beacon Road in Luton, Chatham. An investigation was launched following the discovery.
Customers whose parcels are late, damaged or go missing may be entitled to compensation. Your should always contact the company you ordered from first, as your contract is with them rather than the delivery firm.