Dear Residents, 

As the festive season approaches, we know many of you are excitedly preparing to celebrate and bring joy to your loved ones. With Christmas fast approaching, the increase in online shopping and parcel deliveries becomes a natural part of this wonderful time of year.

Unfortunately, this can also be an opportunity for parcel thieves, who often target unattended packages left outside homes. To help ensure your gifts and deliveries arrive safely, we’d like to share some advice and options to keep your parcels secure: 

1. Use Click and Collect Options: Many retailers offer this service, allowing you to pick up your items from a designated location at your convenience.

2. Choose a Safe Delivery Location: If you’re unavailable, consider having your parcel delivered to a trusted neighbour, a friend, or a secure workplace.

3. Specify Delivery Instructions: Provide detailed instructions to the courier, such as leaving the parcel in a safe, hidden spot or behind a locked gate.

4. Use Delivery Lockers: Some courier companies provide secure lockers where you can retrieve your parcel with a unique code.

5. Be Vigilant: If you notice suspicious activity around your neighbourhood, please report it to us immediately.

6. Track your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery.

7. Install a video doorbell; this can be connected to your mobile so you are notified immediately of any delivery, and is easier to install than a full CCTV system.
 

Your dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods team is here to make a difference in your community. If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, please contact a member of your local team.

In an Emergency dial 999 for non-Emergency dial 101