Parcel theft in the UK has reached record levels, with stolen packages worth £666.5m reported in the past year, according to data from technology firm Quadient. This marks an increase of nearly £290m compared to 2024, and experts believe the true figure is higher as many thefts go unreported.
Charity worker Nicki Wedgwood, 31, from Hackney, east London, experienced the problem firsthand when Christmas presents she ordered online were stolen from her building’s lobby within minutes of delivery. She suspects the thief was a man she passed in the hallway, who may have followed the delivery driver. Wedgwood received a refund from the retailer but did not report the crime to police, citing previous unhelpful experiences.
Quadient’s Gary Winter said the rise in thefts is not simply due to more online shopping. “People see it as a low-level crime opportunity and are taking advantage of it,” he said. Leicestershire is the worst affected area, but city and town centres generally pose the greatest risk, especially in multi-occupancy buildings where parcels pile up in lobbies.
Darren Walmsley, vice chair of the National Courier and Despatch Association, attributes the trend to changes in delivery practices. He noted that Amazon popularised deliveries without requiring signatures, and the Covid pandemic further normalised contactless drop-offs. Signed-for deliveries, which involve handing items directly to a recipient, are far more secure.
To protect against theft, experts recommend using delivery options that require signatures, having parcels sent to a secure location or a locker, and arranging for neighbours to accept packages. The Metropolitan Police advised victims to always report thefts, stating that intelligence-led operations have resulted in arrests.
