There are some places the Royal Mail says it 'can’t' leave parcels - even if the householder has requested it
Royal Mail says it "can’t" leave parcels if your Safeplace is in one of four categories. And if yours is on the list, it may be worth changing it now - especially with more parcels due to arrive in the run-up to December 25.
For example, posties won't be able to leave your parcel if the delivery needs a signature or if leaving it there wouldn’t be safe. In those cases, customers should update their Safeplace preferences if the current option is considered unsuitable.
Safeplace is available on Royal Mail 24 & 48 and Tracked 24 & 48 services, and it’s free to use. Royal Mail confirms: "We can't leave an item in a Safeplace" if:
The location is not secure (like a doorstep or recycling bin)
The item could be damaged by bad weather
It’s unsafe for us to reach the spot
The item needs a signature, age, or ID verification
It further explains that just because you leave a Safeplace, it does not guarantee delivery. It explains: "in a very small number of cases, it won't be possible to follow the customer's Safeplace instructions.
"Examples of these include: if it would be dangerous for us to access the nominated point; if the item would be exposed to bad weather; or if the nominated point is clearly insecure. As an example, places we wouldn’t consider safe are bins, including recycling bins, doorsteps and underneath parked cars."
Royal Mail says your chosen Safeplace should be a secure, weatherproof location on your property that’s out of sight but easy for staff to reach. It also says leaving parcels in recycling bins does not count as a Safeplace.
What do Royal Mail do if they can't leave my parcel in my Safeplace?
The postal service says it will try to leave your item with a nearby neighbour. If that isn’t possible, it will take the item back to the delivery office and leave a card telling you where it is.
You might also receive an update by email and/or text. If the item has been taken back to the delivery office, you can either book a redelivery or collect it in person.
Are Royal Mail cutting jobs?
Royal Mail says it plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs by the end of next year as part of a shake-up. The company says it’s reacting to fewer letters being delivered and more parcels being sent. The cuts would be about 2% of its 131,000 staff, and posties and drivers are not expected to be affected.
The privatised postal giant said it was responding to a continuing fall in letter deliveries but a growth in its parcels business.
The proposed staff cull to "simplify processes and functions" was focused on its head office and support functions. There would be no reductions in operational frontline roles in delivery and processing, including posties and drivers, it insisted. The company said it hoped to achieve the role reductions through "natural attrition" - staff leaving of their own accord - and voluntary redundancies.
Alistair Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Mail, said: "We have been working hard to reduce costs and simplify processes across all areas of the business as we transform to win in a very competitive market. These proposed changes remove duplication and allow us to invest further in the service we deliver for our customers.
“We are committed to treating everyone fairly and respectfully throughout this process, working closely with our trade unions. The proposed changes will not be easy, but they are an important part of building a stronger, simpler and future-ready Royal Mail for our customers and colleagues.”
The cull comes as Royal Mail, which employs more than 130,000 people. presses ahead with a much wider overhaul as it faces increasing competition, especially from rival courier firms.
The firm's parent company is now owned by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, nicknamed the Czech Sphinx, who also controls stakes in West Ham and Sainsbury's.
One issue Kretinsky was vowed to tackle is Royal Mail's woeful track record on missed letter deliveries, for which it has been slapped with a number of fines. Appearing before MPs in March he apologised for the delivery "chaos". And he "Of course I am deeply sorry for any letters that arrive late."
Results showed Royal Mail parent company International Distribution Services swung back into the black in the year to March 2025, with a £12m profit. Sister parcel business GLS made £286m.
Martin Walsh, deputy general secretary for postal at the Communication Workers Union, said: "Despite the union being reassured that this announcement will not impact any frontline workers, and will involve no compulsory redundancies, these proposals will impact approximately 200 CWU-represented jobs in administration and revenue protection.
"We will be meeting management to discuss this announcement, which is further evidence of a company that is demoralising staff and failing to deliver for customers and the wider community.
"We urge the government to confront the reality of a collapsing Royal Mail and intervene to save this national institution."
