RM in Leicester apologises after sacks of letters found

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail in Leicester apologises after sacks of letters found at postie's home

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/n ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Royal Mail has apologised to customers after sacks of undelivered letters were discovered at a postman's home.

Residents in the south and east of Leicester, and Oadby, were concerned after post began arriving more than four months late.

The Royal Mail has now said it has suspended a postman from the Leicester delivery office, in Campbell Street, after a "substantial amount" of letters were found at his home and in his car.

It has redelivered all the letters, along with an apology.


However, residents said the delays have been inconvenient and worrying. Some said that letters had been tampered with and opened.

Maria Cook, 55, who lives in Saffron Lane, Leicester, said: "It's frustrating more than anything. My Sky connection was cut off because I got a letter too late – I'm still sorting my broadband out because of it.

"Why be a postman if you don't want to deliver mail?"

Sue Vincent, 42, from Marriott Road, near Saffron Lane, said: "My phone bill had been opened. It's scary to think people are going through your private information like that, they could get lots of personal information without you even knowing."

Kellie Bugby, 31, who lives near Attlee Way, on the Saffron Lane estate, said: "Lots of people have been concerned about their mail. They're asking whether they should cancel bank cards and credit cards. I know a few people who didn't receive late payment letters and now they're getting red letters because the bills obviously haven't been paid."

Last Month, the Mercury reported a case involving a postman from the Meridian depot who was found with more than 14,000 pieces of mail at his home in Leicester.

Speaking about the most recent suspension, Communication Workers Union representative Andy Connelly said: "The worker in question hasn't contacted us. I'm aware of the case, and I understand that a substantial amount of mail has been delayed. It was found at his home and in his vehicle.

"Unfortunately it's another case of a bad apple soiling the barrel – it's just happening a bit too frequently at the moment."

The Royal Mail has not released any information about the suspended postman. The police are not involved as the Royal Mail has the power to prosecute its employees.

A spokesman said internal conduct procedures were taking place and the results would be sent to a solicitor who would decide whether to take the case to court.

A spokesman said: "Royal Mail can confirm that a quantity of mail has been recovered in Leicester and a postman from Leicester delivery office has been suspended. The recovered mail has been delivered to those customers affected together with a letter of apology.

"Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women, who are honest and hard-working and who do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely.''

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Speaking about the most recent suspension, Communication Workers Union representative Andy Connelly said: "The worker in question hasn't contacted us. I'm aware of the case, and I understand that a substantial amount of mail has been delayed. It was found at his home and in his vehicle.

"Unfortunately it's another case of a bad apple soiling the barrel – it's just happening a bit too frequently at the moment."

Sorry but in my opinion that was not the best thing to say. Perhaps a comment along the lines of "I am sorry I cannot comment on individual cases especially where the person concerned may be a member of the CWU and I would not want to pre-judge the matter"

Don't the CWU do Media Aware courses for Branch level reps.

[brothermagrew]

It would appear not