Boy, five, asked to produce ID to get parcel from father

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/ ... _1_2464463" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy was reduced to tears after Royal Mail workers refused to hand over a parcel sent to him from Afghanistan by his serviceman dad.


The scene was witnessed by mum-of-two Sally Bufton, who was queuing in the delivery office in Slindon Street, Portsmouth when staff said the boy couldn’t have the parcel.

The mother was told to produce identification with the child’s name on it in order to claim the package.

Sally, 36, said: ‘I was queuing behind a boy aged five and his mother who were in a state of extreme distress.

‘The child had been sent a birthday present by his father, who is serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

‘The mother had ID, but none for the child, so staff refused to hand over the parcel.

‘They said the policy means the addressee needs to provide identification, regardless of their age. The little boy was so distraught he was crying.’

Sally, a legal worker, was hit by the same problem when she tried to pick up birthday presents addressed to her son Luke, nine.

Two DVDs were sent by her husband Alistair, 36, who works in the Royal Navy and is currently based at Whale Island.

Sally said: ‘I went to the office alone and was told my son would need to come in to collect his parcel with his own ID. It’s really frustrating. I don’t understand why they need to see ID for children.

‘The policy is ridiculous. Children get excited when they get a parcel in general, but for kids whose parents are away, it’s like a lifeline.’

Royal Mail said the policy applied to parcels sent by special delivery.

A spokesman added: ‘A card is left explaining how to arrange a re-delivery or where to collect the item.

‘This card also includes details of the addressee’s identification, which is required to collect the item in person. This is regardless of their age and is done in the interests of security, which is of paramount importance.

‘We apologise if the customer was inconvenienced when they tried to collect the item without sufficient identification.’

Royal Mail said people under 18 can provide their birth certificate, National Insurance card, medical card or savings book, as ID.

Veteran Chris Purcell, 52, of Fratton, who has served in the Royal Navy for 20 years, said: ‘Asking identification for someone that young is silly. It’s really important people away and people at home to get mail as it’s a real morale boost.’

[not me]

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/ ... _1_2464463

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy was reduced to tears after Royal Mail workers refused to hand over a parcel sent to him from Afghanistan by his serviceman dad.


The scene was witnessed by mum-of-two Sally Bufton, who was queuing in the delivery office in Slindon Street, Portsmouth when staff said the boy couldn’t have the parcel.

The mother was told to produce identification with the child’s name on it in order to claim the package.

Sally, 36, said: ‘I was queuing behind a boy aged five and his mother who were in a state of extreme distress.

‘The child had been sent a birthday present by his father, who is serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

‘The mother had ID, but none for the child, so staff refused to hand over the parcel.

‘They said the policy means the addressee needs to provide identification, regardless of their age. The little boy was so distraught he was crying.’

Sally, a legal worker, was hit by the same problem when she tried to pick up birthday presents addressed to her son Luke, nine.

Two DVDs were sent by her husband Alistair, 36, who works in the Royal Navy and is currently based at Whale Island.

Sally said: ‘I went to the office alone and was told my son would need to come in to collect his parcel with his own ID. It’s really frustrating. I don’t understand why they need to see ID for children.

‘The policy is ridiculous. Children get excited when they get a parcel in general, but for kids whose parents are away, it’s like a lifeline.’

Royal Mail said the policy applied to parcels sent by special delivery.

A spokesman added: ‘A card is left explaining how to arrange a re-delivery or where to collect the item.

‘This card also includes details of the addressee’s identification, which is required to collect the item in person. This is regardless of their age and is done in the interests of security, which is of paramount importance.

‘We apologise if the customer was inconvenienced when they tried to collect the item without sufficient identification.’

Royal Mail said people under 18 can provide their birth certificate, National Insurance card, medical card or savings book, as ID.

Veteran Chris Purcell, 52, of Fratton, who has served in the Royal Navy for 20 years, said: ‘Asking identification for someone that young is silly. It’s really important people away and people at home to get mail as it’s a real morale boost.’

oh really? well thats not the policy their managers are pushing.so can we asume we no longer need ID for anything but SD from now on?

[fishtank]

Some common sense ffs.
And before the pedantic start...i know the rules but come on...a five year old?

[axeman]

Until he reaches the age of consent he is deemed to be in the care of his parents therefore they can sign for and on behalf of him ...royal fail never cease to amaze me total idiots are running this company and also runining it come the day when these jokers get there comeuppance :ncfo :dcfo :vcfo

[brothermagrew]

Press 1 Royal Mail 0

[westham67]

RM ARE LIVING IN A DREAMWORLD , GET WITH IT AND YOU WILL COMPETE IF YOU DONT YOU WILL SINK, MODERNISE AND MOVE ON,I FEAR ITS TO LATE EVERY DAY I WITNESS THE CHANNEL MINDED AND IGNORANT PEOPLE WITHIN THIS COMPANY, SHORTLY NOT TO BE..

[BELIAL]

Me ,I'd give your personal correspondence to any Tom ,jack or Harry, would I f**k( Daddy f****d the maid)

[RedBagMan]

Another victory for the "Let's do EVERYTHING by the book" brigade

[Brainache]

So if I am delivering a Special (a 2 year olds birthday present) the parents signiture isnt allowed? Googoogaagaa

[Lounge Lizard]

Some common sense ffs.
And before the pedantic start...i know the rules but come on...a five year old?

Remember Fagin, Oliver Twist and all that ? especially somewhere with a crime rate that of Portsmouth and the P739 clearly states "We will need to see this card and proof of the ADDRESSEE'S identity ...."

[RedBagMan]

Remember Fagin, Oliver Twist and all that ?

Believe it's a book ... filed under "FICTION" ...

[Lounge Lizard]

Remember Fagin, Oliver Twist and all that ?

Believe it's a book ... filed under "FICTION" ...

And where did Charles Dickens get his ideas from ? The less affluant and least celubrious areas of Victorian Britain, that's where - and Portsmouth is known as Britain's second most deprived, or is it depraved, town so you can't be too careful there.

[not me]

So if I am delivering a Special (a 2 year olds birthday present) the parents signiture isnt allowed? Googoogaagaa

you deliver to addresses,not people
so it doesnt matter who signs for it