Postman suspended after letters arrive at homes 2 years late

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Postman suspended after letters arrive at homes more than TWO YEARS late http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi ... e-10186561" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



A postman has been suspended as part of a Royal Mail probe into why hundreds of letters from a Black Country delivery office took TWO-AND-A-HALF years to arrive.

And householders who received their long delayed post two weeks ago have been informed by the Oldbury office that the investigation is centred on possible criminal activity.

That has cut little ice with Warley’s Tim Beddow, who received three letters on September 17 – all posted in March, 2013. One, from Cambridge, contained a cheque.

The 56-year-old, who deals in sports memorabilia, said: “While the Royal Mail can’t be held responsible for any alleged misdemeanour, it can, surely, be held responsible for taking two-and-a-half years to sort it out.

“The worry is how much more mail has been lost. I’m certainly not the only person affected by this.”

The unopened letters arrived in a plastic bag with a brief explanation and apology from delivery office manager Andrew Henson.

He wrote: “I regret to inform you an Instance of theft or damage have resulted in the delay or damage of mail due to you.”

It adds: “Royal Mail investigators are working closely with the police and are investigating this criminal activity against Royal Mail. Every effort has been made to recover any remaining mail items due to you.

“I would like to offer my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Such incidents are extremely rare and I would like to assure you that Royal Mail places the highest priority on the security of customers’ mail.”

Mr Beddow added: “The letters are water-damaged. I’ve asked about compensation, but been told I do not have a contract with Royal Mail.

“If compensation was an issue it would involve the senders, not the person who received the letters.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed yesterday the investigation involves 250 letters, but no parcels.

She added: “Royal Mail can confirm that a postman from Oldbury delivery office has been suspended following an ongoing investigation into the intentional delay of a quantity of mail.

“The delayed mail is being delivered to customers, with a covering letter explaining the delay and telling them who to contact should they require further information.

“We apologise to any customer whose mail has been affected by this incident.

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

“It is a criminal offence to tamper with or delay the delivery of mail and anyone caught doing so will face serious disciplinary measures and Royal Mail will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.

“The safety and security of mail is of the utmost importance to this business and Royal Mail will not allow the actions of any individual to damage the good reputation of our thousands of hard-working postmen and women.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said they, as yet, were not involved in the probe.