The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have meant there has been a vast increase in the number of Brits who have turned to online shopping. But contactless deliveries and doorstep drops have provided an easy target for opportunist thieves.
Cambridgeshire Live reports that 45 per cent of UK adults are now receiving more home deliveries since the lockdown measures were introduced, according to a survey from ADT Fire & Security, and 12 million Brits, an astonishing 23 per cent, have had a parcel stolen from outside their home.
This figure rises to 41 per cent in London, followed by the West Midlands with 27 per cent, and 24 per cent of Yorkshire residents reporting stolen parcels.
21 per cent of UK adult also said they have found their parcel delivered to some rather bizarre 'safe places' by delivery drivers. Respondents to the survey reported parcels being found in plant pots, fridges, and in or under pet hutches.
47 per cent of people have nominated a neighbour as a designated signee of parcels, which rises to a neighbourly 58 per cent of people in the North East.
Parcels are also commonly left inside wheelie bins, which has led to two unlucky customers having had their parcels taken away by the bin men.
The increase in parcel theft has been countered by a rise in people installing extra security in and around their homes. In London, 40 per cent of people are now more likely to have additional security measures in place, according to the survey.
This has included the installation of home protection devices such as security cameras to keep Londoners' home safe, compared with just 27 per cent of people nationally.
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