12 Million Brits Are Victims Of Parcel Theft
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Christmas is meant to be the season of giving - but not everyone is willing to extend the feeling of good will to all men.
Unfortunately, the festive season is the perfect time for thieves to pilfer packages and parcels, with a staggering 12 million Brits falling victim to parcel theft, according to new research from ADT Fire & Security.
Parcel theft raises exponentially in major cities, with over 41 per cent of people living in London having experienced theft first-hand.
And with 45 per cent of us relying more on online shopping and deliveries in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, it's more important than ever that we know how to keep our items safe and secure.
Top tips from ADT include scheduling deliveries directly with courier companies through direct messages, apps and notifications so you know exactly when your parcels are set to arrive and to plan accordingly. If this isn't possible, then clear and specific delivery instructions should be left with the driver, with ADT recommending that the courier leaves a package with a trusted neighbour, or calls you when they're near your address so you can make a more informed choice about where to leave your delivery.
Other hints include investing in a parcel box to avoid deliveries being dumped in obvious places by delivery drivers, buying a video doorbell as a deterrent to thieves and so you can keep and eye on your doorstep, and securing your space with lighting and motion detection so someone is alerted to movement in the area.
Speaking about the research Head of Products and Solutions at ADT, Lee Jasper, explained: "Lockdown has exacerbated online deliveries across the country and with Christmas fast approaching it has never been more important to safe-proof deliveries.
"A strong theme that has emerged from our findings is that Brits are struggling to find the perfect solution to make deliveries seamless. While those lucky enough to know their neighbours seem to have the advantage here, there are still some simple steps everyone can take to keep parcels safe this Christmas."