With the holiday season in full swing and online shopping at record highs, a wave of concern is sweeping across communities in Australia and the United Kingdom as parcel theft—commonly known as the work of "porch pirates"—reaches unprecedented levels. From suburban homes in Melbourne to apartment blocks in London, opportunistic thieves are targeting unattended deliveries, leaving frustrated shoppers and overwhelmed police forces scrambling for solutions.
On December 6, 2025, Australia Post sounded the alarm with an urgent warning to residents about the rising risk of parcel theft. The timing was no coincidence: Christmas is fast approaching, and Black Friday deals have left doorsteps brimming with packages. "If a parcel is stolen after it has been delivered, it becomes a matter for police, however, we’re encouraging customers to consider our secure delivery options to reduce the risk of this happening," said Kevin Zuccato, General Manager Group Security at Australia Post, according to Yahoo News Australia. He urged customers to remain vigilant, especially as anticipation for holiday gifts grows. The advice is clear: use secure delivery options, and if theft is suspected, report it to local authorities or Crime Stoppers.
Victoria's Crime Stoppers Chief Executive, Stella Smith, echoed the warning, noting a marked increase in parcel theft at this time of year. She described the thieves as "opportunistic" and adept at striking "quickly and quietly." Smith emphasized the importance of community vigilance: "Simple steps like choosing secure delivery options and reporting any suspicious behaviour can make a real difference." Residents are encouraged to upload CCTV or doorbell footage of suspicious activity to the Crime Stoppers website, a move that could help stem the tide of thefts.
Australia Post has been proactive in offering solutions. Customers can use free 24/7 Parcel Lockers, download the AusPost app for delivery updates, collect parcels from local Post Offices, or request that packages be left in safer, less visible locations. These steps, while seemingly simple, can go a long way in protecting precious holiday deliveries from falling into the wrong hands.
The issue is not confined to Australia. Across the world in the UK, police are issuing similar warnings as Christmas approaches. Nottinghamshire Police, in a statement on December 7, 2025, cautioned shoppers to be vigilant as the volume of online deliveries surges. "This is a prime time for opportunistic theft," said Superintendent Chris Pearson, as reported by BBC Nottingham. He explained that parcels left unattended at homes can "easily" be stolen, and the force has received reports of thefts involving goods worth hundreds of pounds in past years.
Supt Pearson offered practical advice: "Things you could do to reduce the risk of doorstep theft include tracking your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery." He also advised arranging for deliveries to be sent to trusted neighbors or collection points, installing video doorbells or security lights, and using off-site locker services for expensive or frequent deliveries. The message from police is clear: "This type of crime is preventable, and we're asking everyone to do all that they can to stop this crime happening."
But for many, the reality of parcel theft is all too familiar. In a detailed piece published by The Guardian on December 7, 2025, the personal story of Nicki Wedgwood, a charity worker in Hackney, east London, brings the statistics to life. After ordering Christmas presents online, Wedgwood found her packages had been ripped open and emptied just minutes after being delivered to her building's lobby. She suspects she even exchanged a greeting with the thief. "There was some random dude just inside the doorway, who had a Boris bike with him," she recalled. "I said hello to him … I think he even said Merry Christmas."
Wedgwood's experience is far from unique. According to data from technology company Quadient, parcels worth a staggering £666.5 million were reported stolen across the UK in the last year—nearly £290 million more than in 2024. Leicestershire tops the list as the UK's hotspot for parcel thefts, but city and town centers everywhere are vulnerable, especially during December's peak delivery season. The problem is compounded in apartment buildings and multi-occupancy dwellings, where lobbies can become easy targets for thieves lurking nearby.
Why is this crime becoming so common? Gary Winter, vice-president of global strategic initiatives at Quadient, believes the rise in theft isn't just proportional to increased online shopping—it's growing even faster. "People see it as a low-level crime opportunity and are taking advantage of it," he told The Guardian. The shift in delivery practices plays a role, too. The popularity of contactless and unsigned deliveries, championed by companies like Amazon, has made it easier for parcels to be left unattended. During the Covid pandemic, these practices became even more widespread. As a result, overstretched delivery drivers, pressured to complete hundreds of drops a day, often leave parcels outside or in unsecured lobbies.
Not all thieves are organized criminals. Sometimes, it's opportunistic neighbors who can't resist the temptation. Asif, a Derbyshire resident, had a parcel stolen from behind his bin and suspects his neighbor was responsible. In Bristol, Maddie discovered her missing meal kit box poking out of a pile of black sacks in a neighbor's alleyway. While refunds from retailers can soften the blow, the sense of violation lingers.
Some victims, frustrated by a lack of police follow-up, have turned to creative measures. Videos of "bait packages"—filled with paint bombs, glitter, or even cat litter—have gone viral on social media, offering a dose of poetic justice and a momentary sense of control. Arizona software engineer Alec Armbruster, who has had several parcels stolen, once set out a bait box filled with used cat litter. "I came home one day and it was gone and I was like, 'Yes!' I ran inside to watch the footage. It was very exciting," he told The Guardian. Still, Armbruster admits, "it didn’t really bring justice," and the underlying problem persists.
Experts and authorities agree that prevention is key. Winter suggests brands could do more to anonymize parcels and instruct delivery agents not to leave packages in visible or vulnerable spots. Darren Walmsley, vice chair of the National Courier and Despatch Association, recommends opting for signed-for or same-day deliveries when possible, though he acknowledges these options may not always be affordable or convenient. For those living in high-risk areas, collecting parcels from work addresses, corner shops, or locker locations can reduce the risk significantly.
Despite the frustrations, reporting thefts remains important. As Winter notes, "You’ve got to report it to the police because you want to be in the statistics. You want to try to make sure that the police are paying attention to this." The Metropolitan Police confirm they are carrying out intelligence-led operations to catch criminal gangs targeting delivery vans, resulting in a number of arrests.
For Nicki Wedgwood, the experience has led to increased caution. She now texts housemates to fetch parcels immediately and verifies couriers before letting them in. Despite the challenges, she refuses to let thieves dictate her living situation. "The rent is really low. I love the area. Also, I just don’t want to let the thieves win. Why should I let them?"
As the festive season continues, the battle against porch pirates is intensifying. With a mix of technology, vigilance, and community action, residents and authorities alike are determined to keep holiday cheer from being stolen—one package at a time.
