So called ‘porch pirates’ the thieves who steal parcels.

Dickens

... oh, and I think the media should stop with the "Porch Pirates" nonsense, it lends an air of swashbuckling glamour to their theft. They're not Johnny Depp, they're just a worthless bunch of contemptible opportunistic low-life.

We were just saying the same thing.

Many, many years ago I remember watching one of those shows like Jeremy Kyle (can't remember which one) and a man said 'I am a professional burglar. It's my job. It's how I pay my bills and feed my family. What we steal is insured so no one looses out except the rich insurance companies'. He seemed to think it wrong that he had to go to jail because of it. There have always been thieves and thugs, I think the difference is that they used to know that what they did was wrong. The morality bar is now set so low it doesn't really exist.

I read an article this morning about young girls looking for men with Rolex watches in clubs, restaurants etc., they forward their description and whereabouts to the gang leaders who wait outside the establishments to relieve them of their watches.

Apparently there has been a documentary made about them. It should be possible to wear your watch without some lowlife mugging you for it.

They are difficult to sell as all Rolex’s have an individual serial number which can be traced easily (when made, where sold and to whom, if you buy a legitimate pre-loved one they come with all these details, original receipt and box etc.,) The stolen ones are shipped out to Eastern Europe, Dubai etc.

... oh, and I think the media should stop with the "Porch Pirates" nonsense, it lends an air of swashbuckling glamour to their theft. They're not Johnny Depp, they're just a worthless bunch of contemptible opportunistic low-life.

Goodness Dickens that’s terrible! I agree, I think as a society we’re becoming immune to all crimes, in that we seemingly accept bad things now as the norm. There is little deterrent. Prisons ‘are full’ and keeping inmates in them is expensive. We just feel the country is broke (skint) and broken.

Another 'sign-of-the-times' URMS along with theft from supermarkets etc where some simply walk into a shop, take what they want and walk out again - then there's the mobs who swipe things into a holdall...

In my small Cotswold town this morning, an elderly couple returned to their home just in time to see a thief driving off in their son's van which had been parked in the driveway - after he'd smashed the front window of their house and ransacked every room. The house is only a few feet from the road - these fanatical thugs are becoming so bold, probably because they know there's a good chance they won't get caught, so they don't care.

I said in another thread a while ago that I fear we are on the way to becoming a crime-ridden dystopia.

After Theresa May hollowed out the police force, those on the front line simply cannot do what the public expect of them. And of course, they get the blame. I can't see things improving any time soon. It's very depressing.

I reckon that foxes and seagulls are guilty around here. Walking home this morning there was a parcel torn open and it was biscuits I think and had clearly been eaten.

Sounds like a lucrative business model nowadays, sadly. Apparently this involves thousands of deliveries.
😱

Some years ago a courier van stopped outside our office, and the driver started to unload boxes with DELL (computers) on them. A car pulled up behind him and said "Ah, those are for my office, just put them in the boot of my car would you"? Luckily the building supervisor caught sight and ran outside to intervene - The belief is the car was following the van to intercept any parcels.

It's very much more common now, of course. I too am lucky in that I live off a cul de sac that runs off another cul de sac, and my door is at the side of the building rather than the front.

Our local convenience shop collection point. On showing your ID and tracking number, you can collect your parcel safely

GrannyGravy is there a pickup point in your village?

Would it be worth the expense if you do not receive many parcels?

I appear to keep Amazon in business so I am fortunate I live in a cul de sac.

Today my cleaner said she had ordered clothes online for her two children. The parcel was stolen and she was distraught as it had taken her ages to save up the money.

She wanted to order a couple of ceramic heaters from Amazon so they will be delivered to my house where there is a better likelihood of me being at home to take them in.

We live on the main road through our village, at the moment our porch is partially hidden and if we are not in the parcels left by the door are invisible from the road. In the New Year it will be exposed due to relaying the drive.

We have been deliberating getting some sort of secure box at side of house, do not want to rely on a neighbour.

Good idea for returns OldFrill.

This has prompted the growth of secure lockers, at supermarkets, petrol stations etc. I always use them for returns (often it's a requirement). Simple and secure.

There are daily videos on social media taken from ring doorbells, it must be a full-time job for some.

The videos often show their identities however I doubt many are prosecuted due to lack of police and court costs.