Essex - Parcel theft offences down 80% in four years

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17x92gvqr9o

Reports of parcel thefts have dropped by about 80% in the last four years in Essex, according to information obtained by the BBC.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, Essex Police handled 613 offences between January and August 2021, compared with 120 during the same period in 2025.

The owner of a security company said working from home had acted as a deterrent for criminals, and that neighbours had mastered the art of sharing intelligence.

"They all come together and share what's happened," said Chelmsford-based Ahmet Deveci, who used to be a Metropolitan Police detective.

"[They] share footage from their systems, which we actively encourage because that then helps build up a larger picture of these suspects, should they be hiding themselves."

He pointed out that doorbell cameras could pick up high-resolution pictures, could record audio and had built-in speakers.

"You can issue commands, let them know they're being recorded; that's also a great deterrent," he said.

Steve Leverett is a Neighbourhood Watch leader for Chelmsford and Maldon, which he felt compelled to do after the group helped him when his flat was burgled 20 years ago.

Their WhatsApp groups had grown "exponentially", he explained.

"Perhaps [they will] take that package in and give it to the neighbour when the other one gets back or alert that neighbour through WhatsApp," said Mr Leverett.

"It happens increasingly that communities look out for each other, which is marvellous."

Consumer habits also play a factor.

The number of orders that were delivered to secure lockers rather than homes jumped from 7% in 2024 to 17% in 2025, according to a survey by Retail Economics and InPost, external.

Mr Leverett also said police could decide where to allocate resources depending on how proactive communities and neighbours were.

He cited a successful case in Great Baddow village, near Chelmsford, where there was a spate of "minor burglaries".

"Something like eight or 10 such incidents were reported," he said.

"The police were able to build up a profile... go out and survey that area and they made an arrest and a prosecution."