Proble Launched After Christmas Mail Found Dumped

[johnnyp]

Feb 15 2008 By Marie Sharp

TWO sacks of Christmas post, containing everything from children's presents to prized family photos, have been found rotting in a fly-tipping site.

Shocked Royal Mail bosses yesterday launched an investigation into the discovery.

And they said they would be writing to apologise to everyone whose names and addresses they could rescue from the bags.

The sacks were only discovered on Tuesday by Robert Best, 53, as he hunted rabbits on wasteland at Bogston train station, near Greenock.

They had been left exposed to the elements for more than two months, one of the sacks had torn and its contents spilled out into the surrounding trash.

Despite the damage caused by the weather, it was clear much of the mail had been intended to arrive at people's homes in time for Christmas.

Cards and presents were clearly visible to Robert and many of the items had been sent from abroad.

They included an album of family photos sent to relatives in Port Glasgow from Canada. There were also medicine supplies, bank statements and CDs and DVDs.

The mail was postmarked December 19.

Yesterday, Robert, of Greenock, said: "I was furious. It looked like a lot of personal things were in there and special deliveries."

Yesterday, Royal Mail bosses insisted they would get to the bottom of what happened and pledged to make sure any salvageable mail will be delivered to its intended recipients.

A spokeswoman said: "Royal Mail is investigating this incident. It is a criminal offence to tamper with, or delay, the delivery of mail.

"Anyone who has concerns about missing mail should contact customer services on 08457 740 740."

Sources at the Royal Mail yesterday said members of staff were sickened when they saw the personal items which had been left to rot.

One senior member of staff said: "Christmas is a time of year when people really look forward to hearing from their families all over the world.

"No one can believe someone in the Royal Mail could dump such important mail. The postie responsible should be sacked."

Among the addresses affected are Port Glasgow's Bridgend Avenue, Boglestone Avenue, West Street and Ardmore Road; Gourock's Shore Street, Rodney Road, Cardwell Road, Kempock Street, Manor Road and Reservoir Road; and Greenock's Larkfield Road, Weir Street, Adam Street and Albert Road.

[Stormproof]

Surely RM would've had some concern about the missing mail before now, especially as the mail contained Specials, unless the person concerned signed the card, but customers must of been on to the DO about expected stuff not arriving.

[combocrasher]

Is it just me or does this seem to be happening more frequently since they brought in the 6 o'clock starts? if the royal mail were really concerned they would bring back the second delivery so they could monitor the security/integrity of the service

[DGP1]

It seems to be happening more because of the way management are treating staff now, 20hr contracts and expecting people to make up the hours on OT and constantly telling us that mail is getting lighter and using more casual staff to try and fill the inevitable gaps

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I tend to post most of these stories and I don't think there has been an increase it just seems so because we are more aware of them because of this site. Most of these incidents seem to be either cauals or have only just started the job. The others, that is the long time posties, always seem to be in financial diffciultoes which is no excuse but unless Royal Mail wake up this will increase, especially with flexibility cutting down on the amount of OT being avaiable.

[BELIAL]

Ever done a walk?

[Night Tonic]

I tend to post most of these stories and I don't think there has been an increase it just seems so because we are more aware of them because of this site. Most of these incidents seem to be either cauals or have only just started the job. The others, that is the long time posties, always seem to be in financial diffciultoes which is no excuse but unless Royal Mail wake up this will increase, especially with flexibility cutting down on the amount of OT being avaiable.

Not true, statistically cases of mail dumping and theft are usually committed by regular posties with six or more years service.

[k979aaa]

I tend to post most of these stories and I don't think there has been an increase it just seems so because we are more aware of them because of this site. Most of these incidents seem to be either cauals or have only just started the job. The others, that is the long time posties, always seem to be in financial diffciultoes which is no excuse but unless Royal Mail wake up this will increase, especially with flexibility cutting down on the amount of OT being avaiable.

Not true, statistically cases of mail dumping and theft are usually committed by regular posties with six or more years service.

Prove it!

[DGP1]

I see mummy has let can't spell on the computer again

[axeman]

Can type ...but does not listen ? blame can not be apportioned on long term employes. Most anomalies such as we see more frequently now are caused because rm uses casuals, p/time hours and most are overburdened with the crap we now carry. And quite rightly get pisse* off doing a job for peanuts with no hope of ever becoming a full time employe how would you feel with that prospect day after day week after week. it's a problem r.m will have to address and quickly if it is to avoid another regulatory fine of 6.5 or whatever it was million. another problem caused by :lfo :cfo and the cronies


If you have the sasistical evidence to back your claim mr night tonic please post it so we can all read it ....thanks

[Night Tonic]

Usual rabble of insults, nothing new there then.

You can actually look these cases up on line - if you know where to look and/or can be bothered. I doesn't follow that we're all criminals (at least I hope not) but I guess the line of thinking is that the longer you're in the job, the more likely you are to know the dodges. Honesty is relative. You could go to town trying to vet posties but nine times out of ten, if there was a cheap laptop going from a mate of a mate, most wouldn't ask questions. That is human nature. The problem is that as the pride goes in the job, the integrity goes too.

When I started this job, the interview process was rigorous, but that was many many years ago. These days its much easier to get in I think. Cutting corners on costs has a direct effect on the selecton process as it does with everything else. My view is that my job is as important as any other similar job that relies on trust. Trouble is you don't get the same emphasis on the importance of integrity. Its just do the job, get out there and deliver the mail as cheaply as possible.

[dvbuk55]

IMO there is only the postman to blame.

I was a delivery officer for many years in hail, rain, snow and shine and I would no more think of dumping the mail than slitting my wrists. In fact the latter would be more likely.

Before anyone makes bogus excuses like part time, later starts, managerial inadequacies spare a thought for the customer waiting for that special something from maybe someone special that never arrived because for whatever reason some selfish bastard couldn't be bothered to do what he was paid to do. That is the plain and simple truth.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birm ... -20480552/

This lad has to be the lowest of the low, stealing presents and then selling them

A BIRMINGHAM postman has been suspended after his bosses launched a probe into missing Christmas presents.

The 20-year-old worker at Great Barr's Royal Mail depot could face charges and the sack.

It is understood that computer games, handheld computer game consoles and jewellery were in parcels which vanished towards the end of last year.

One man told the Birmingham Mail he was offered a stolen Nintendo DS by the man in a pub before Christmas.

"I heard him boasting that he had been taking all this stuff," said the man.

"I didn't want anything to do with it. I think it's disgusting because at that time of year, they would have been some child's Christmas present."

Police have not yet been involved because Royal Mail has its own powers of prosecution and could take the suspended postman to court.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Following an internal investigation an employee at Royal Mail Great Barr delivery office was suspended on January 31.

"As this is an ongoing investigation we are unable to give any further details at this time.

"We take a zero tolerance policy to the rare incidents of dishonesty and always seek to prosecute those responsible.

"The overwhelming majority of people who work within Royal Mail are professional, honest and provide the highest standards of service possible."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ever done a walk?

ever day its the job....

Any ideas why your quoting is not working - it seems to be on my posts, and it does when I quote yours - but not when you quote anyone else

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can type ...but does not listen ? blame can not be apportioned on long term employes. Most anomalies such as we see more frequently now are caused because rm uses casuals, p/time hours and most are overburdened with the crap we now carry. And quite rightly get pisse* off doing a job for peanuts with no hope of ever becoming a full time employe how would you feel with that prospect day after day week after week. it's a problem r.m will have to address and quickly if it is to avoid another regulatory fine of 6.5 or whatever it was million. another problem caused by :lfo :cfo and the cronies


If you have the sasistical evidence to back your claim mr night tonic please post it so we can all read it ....thanks

talking from the wrong orifice again
i listen maybe thats the problem you dont have
im a part timer and i would no more think about dumping mail or stealing it as i would try to burgle the white house
we p/ts took the job for the given hours ..im happy as pig shite doing the very easy job for alot of money

again ,i think some people should think about career changes...work for peanuts

not got a clue