Police warning as thieves target parcels left in 'safe' areas outside West Yorkshire homes

Delivery firms are turning to contact-free deliveries and collections during lockdown, encouraging the use of a 'safe place' to leave and collect parcels.

But police warn this has led to a rise in the theft of packages, particularly those left in communal hallways or shared outside areas.

Paul Denison, Crime Prevention Officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: "The big delivery companies like Amazon, Hermes, Yodel, Parcelforce and Royal Mail will have their own policies in relation to deliveries through the COVID 19 outbreak.

"The drivers must ensure their own safety and the safety of others first and foremost but must also have consideration for the safe delivery of those products they are delivering.

"Whilst West Yorkshire Police will pass on any advice to the couriers we deem appropriate, we will encourage home owners to follow advice on how to protect their delivered goods."

How to keep your parcels safe:

- Do ensure all communal external doors are locked and not propped open.

- Challenge people who are wanting access.

- Maintain communal areas

- If there is an option to leave a telephone number and to receive a text once delivery has been then do so.

- Try and obtain a short time slot – not always available with some companies

- Ask landlords to assist with secure internal storage areas, the Police will approve those that are ‘Secured by Design’ accredited.

- Be vigilant and look out for each other

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

-> https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777