Postbox keys left in the lock

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Po ... 5181311.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail chiefs have launched a probe after a bunch of keys to postboxes was found left in the lock of a town centre pillarbox.
A concerned granddad who found the keys says the postal blunder could have led to thousands of people's mail and money being stolen.
Royal Mail bosses have launched an investigation after the passer-by spotted the keys sticking out of the lock on the postbox outside WA Smith Insurance Brokers, at the busy junction of York Road and Victoria Road in Hartlepool.

The shocked 47-year-old grandfather, who did not wish to be named, said the blunder was "shocking" and claimed it could have led to hundreds of private letters being opened and money being pilfered by opportunistic thieves.

The man, who does not wish to be identified, had just come out of the Co-op Pharmacy on York Road and crossed the road when he spotted the numbered keys on Wednesday, around 5pm.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw what I saw, I counted about 25 keys.

"They're probably the keys to most of the postboxes in the town.

"It's not rocket science, if I hadn't picked them up all the villains could have got them.

"They could have opened all the postboxes.

"People transport money from A to B in envelopes, and they could have opened all the envelopes and taken all the cheques. They could have made a fortune out of it. It's concerning.

"Anybody could have just taken the mail out, opened all the envelopes to see if there was money in the post and thrown the rest away.

"It's shocking. If a postman has left these keys then it's very careless and irresponsible."

The man said he had tried to ring Royal Mail to return the keys, but said he couldn't get through to the correct department to report his find.

Royal Mail were eventually informed of the man's discovery by the Mail, and vowed to start an immediate investigation.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Yes, it's true, we had lost a set of postbox keys.

"We have arranged for a manager to contact the person to collect them as a matter of urgency.

"We will be investigating how they could have been mislaid."

[DGP1]

The postie made a simple mistake (I know because I've done the same whenever I did collections), he probably noticed the minute he arrived at the next box and then went back to retrieve them only to find that someone else had taken them (maybe the person should have stood over the box for 5/10 minutes to see if the postie came back and not just to lift the keys and take them home with them).


PS. Nobody should be sending money through the post unless they use the SD service and cheques should only be paid into bank accounts that have the right name.

[brothermagrew]

Postbox appears to be in the TS268AP postcode area

[dvbuk55]

I've often wondered why key rings are used with multiple keys on. A key board would be much safer you take one key at a time open the box empty the mail close the box and put the key back on the board. If you forget the key only one set needs changing - lose the bunch and it is an expensive job replacing the locks and keys.

[jockstrapp]

The man said he had tried to ring Royal Mail to return the keys, but said he couldn't get through to the correct department to report his find.

If he tried phoning after ten o'clock he had no chance as the lazy b@st'rds would be away home

[dpb]

I've often wondered why key rings are used with multiple keys on. A key board would be much safer you take one key at a time open the box empty the mail close the box and put the key back on the board. If you forget the key only one set needs changing - lose the bunch and it is an expensive job replacing the locks and keys.

nah, all the box's have spare keys and the engineers just swap all the locks around so the corresponding numbered stolen key no longer opens that particular box.

[dvbuk55]

I've often wondered why key rings are used with multiple keys on. A key board would be much safer you take one key at a time open the box empty the mail close the box and put the key back on the board. If you forget the key only one set needs changing - lose the bunch and it is an expensive job replacing the locks and keys.

nah, all the box's have spare keys and the engineers just swap all the locks around so the corresponding numbered stolen key no longer opens that particular box.

Do you know how much they charge for the service though - it isn't free.

[lover]

no its not free ,but the engineers are being paid anyway arnt they?changing them or not.
apart from wanting to punch the old fart in the back of the head(ive done it myself as has everyone)
all our bunches have a keyring saying post in nearest post box if found.seeing as they were hanging out of the lock i think he could have found one.interfering old muppet just wanted to moan.couldnt get the corrct department what horse shiiitteee

[trimmtrabb]

I did it on my rural round ,went back to find they had gone. Never handed in either.
Got a years suspended dismissal ! Which was nice

[andy2007]

I can see why he was so concerned, as someone else could have picked them up. But the way he handled the situation is extremely petty. Why didn't he simply post them in the Postbox, and when he got no decent response from the DO over the phone. Write a letter to them, telling them what's happened?

[goldy]

All posties make mistakes im amazed that this doesnt happen more often, most people seem to be suprised that we are human , if it is a first offence they will probably get councilled by some graduate trainee line manager who as know idea what there talking about as they have never actually done the job .