Daily Mail columnist Richard Littlejohn writes about a serial parcel thief operating openly in St Maur Road, Parsons Green, South West London, who is well known to residents but has not been arrested despite clear photographic and video evidence. He uses the case to argue that policing of "petty crime" has collapsed across Britain, with foot patrols and local police stations disappearing and officers failing to pursue identifiable offenders.

Residents have gathered iPhone photos and doorbell footage of the same man, distinctive by his clothing, tattoos and ankle tag, stealing Amazon and DHL deliveries in broad daylight, sometimes escaping on an e-bike after being chased. Despite handing this evidence to police, they have been told little more can be done beyond a report for insurance purposes, as the nearest station closed years ago and only a part-time police counter remains in Hammersmith. Littlejohn contrasts this with the era of Crimewatch and Police Five, and cites further examples including shoplifting, a machete fight and a fatal stabbing near a closed police station, to argue that community policing has been abandoned.