Recent research estimates that at least 4.8 million packages were stolen from our doorsteps in the past 12 months, amounting to a value of around £666.5m. December is the peak time for doorstep thefts as Christmas parcels are left outside our homes. The home delivery expert Parcelhero says it’s time for online shoppers to defend themselves against the Grinches who want to steal our Christmas gifts.

Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘Cases of parcel theft have soared in recent years. The expansion of home deliveries that began with Covid has created a corresponding escalation of doorstep parcel thefts. Doorstep thefts reach a peak in December as all our Christmas orders are dropped off.

‘Our research reveals that there were around 3,876 parcel thefts reported to police forces who kept a log last year but that is the tip of the iceberg. A new report by the business technology company Quadient estimates that more than 4.8 million homes have had at least one parcel stolen in the past 12 months. It says that the average price of a stolen parcel is now around £138.

‘If that sounds a lot, spare a thought for American shoppers. The US home security company SafeWise says over 120 million packages valued at $16bn were stolen in 2023.

‘It’s time for shoppers to fight back and repel the porch pirates who are trying to spoil Christmas for everyone. Fortunately, there are a number of simple but effective steps that everyone can take to reduce the likelihood of a package being stolen from their own front door.’

Eight top tips to stop the Christmas porch pirates:

1 Inform the seller immediately. If your parcel seems to be taking a long time to arrive or you’ve been messaged that it has been delivered but you can’t find it, tell the seller straight away. It may seem logical to contact the delivery company but, under UK consumer law, it’s the seller who is responsible for making sure your goods are delivered. The retailer should offer you a refund or replacement if your parcel has been stolen, has gone missing or is damaged.

2 Track your parcel. Modern parcel tracking technology gives you an alert when your driver is nearing your address. Tracking limits or even eliminates the time a package is outside and exposed to potential theft by informing you precisely when the delivery will arrive.

3 Install a prominent video doorbell and a porch security light. These are visual deterrents to help discourage doorstep Grinches. In case the worst does happen, doorbell or CCTV footage really helps when filing a police report. Without this kind of evidence, it can be very difficult for the police to investigate.

4 Have your package delivered to your workplace. Most employers don’t mind taking in the occasional parcel and holding it securely. However, our advice is don’t abuse this courtesy and expect hard-pressed receptionists to look after bulky deliveries for you. Make sure you have received all your orders before you start your Christmas break.

5 List a safe place. You can often do this when you order your item. If it’s a courier you use regularly, you can also do this on their app. Your safe place might be a parcel box or a secluded greenhouse or shed. However, there is one curious twist in UK consumer law to keep in mind. The insurance specialist Compare the Market confirms that if you ask to have your parcel delivered to a safe place and it is stolen from there then it is your responsibility, whereas if the courier leaves a package in a place you didn’t agree to, the responsibility lies with the retailer.

6 Arrange for parcels to be delivered to a trusted neighbour. If you have an accommodating neighbour who is often at home during the day and doesn’t mind taking in the occasional package for you this can be a great solution. Be sure to get their permission first.

7 Have your parcel delivered to a locker or parcel drop-off point. The number of parcel lockers across the UK is growing daily. These are often conveniently sited in local corner shops, supermarkets and even hotels and are perfect if you are unsure exactly when you will be at home.

8 Pay for your online Christmas gifts using a credit card. If you use your credit card to buy something costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you’re covered by section 75 of the UK’s Consumer Credit Act. Money Saving Expert says that if you paid for something using your credit card that never arrived, Section 75 means your credit provider must take the same responsibility as the retailer.

Says David: ‘Anyone sending and receiving a parcel through a courier company such as Parcelhero can take advantage of its courier tracking service. This gives real-time tracking updates for all deliveries, enabling you to be in when your parcel arrives. Simply enter your parcel number and click “Track my parcel”. For full details see: https://www.parcelhero.com/en-gb/parcel-tracking