According to data obtained by smart home parcel delivery solution provider iParcelBox, doorstep parcel thefts have risen by 22% in the UK over the past three years.
The data, from police records and obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by iParcelBox, showed that 2,578 thefts were reported to 23 police forces across the UK over the past three years.
The figures show a rise of 786 thefts in the financial year 2016-2017 up to 962 in the financial year 2018-2019 – an increase of 22%. According to iParcelBox, the total figures of UK parcel theft are likely to be substantially higher, as only half of the UK’s police forces provided a formal response.
The area with the highest levels of parcel thefts was Lancashire Constabulary, which reported 292 thefts in total and 108 in the past 12 months.
The West Country was also revealed as a hotspot for parcel crime, with 20% of all thefts coming from this area. Devon and Cornwall Police reported 264 thefts in total, with 91 in the past year. Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police reported 262 incidents of parcel theft in total.
The lowest areas of parcel theft came from Nottinghamshire Constabulary, with only 21 accounts of parcel theft over a three-year period.
Paul Needler, founder, iParcelBox, said, “It’s clear that the online shopping surge is fueling a new crimewave of parcel thefts across the UK. For opportunistic thieves, the chance to steal an unattended parcel that is sitting on the doorstep is irresistible.
“Asking the delivery driver to place your package under a flowerpot or behind your wheelie bin when you’re out should no longer be an option. Instead, it’s vital that all online shoppers ensure they have a secure, easy to use, delivery box in place to receive their parcels.”
