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Parcel theft affected 5.1 million UK households in the past year, survey suggests
Survey figures suggest parcel theft affected about 5.1 million UK households in the past year, as reports to police rose sharply. The figures point to a growing risk for people who have deliveries left outside while they are away, while few reported cases lead to charges.
Police recorded 12,802 parcel thefts across 31 forces between July 2025 and June 2026, up 87 per cent on the 6,851 recorded by 27 forces in the previous year. A separate poll found 18 per cent of respondents had experienced theft, but only 28 per cent of those victims reported it to police; 189 charges were pursued among 11,658 reported thefts. West Yorkshire recorded the most thefts, at 1,746, followed by Northamptonshire with 1,523 and Essex with 1,355.
In short
- Survey suggests 5.1 million UK households experienced parcel theft.
- Recorded thefts rose 87 per cent across reporting police forces.
- Only 189 charges followed 11,658 reported thefts.
Explained simply
A parcel theft happens when a delivery is taken without the recipient’s permission, often after it has been left outside a home. This can affect people who are out when a courier arrives, particularly if there is no agreed safe place or someone available to accept the parcel.
The figures come from two sources: police records covering some UK forces and a separate survey of households. They measure different things, since many people who experience theft do not report it to police.
The issue matters to households, delivery firms and police because stolen parcels can mean lost goods and the effort of seeking a replacement or refund. Police figures also show how many reported cases result in charges, though they do not capture every theft or outcome.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Scourge of the ‘porch pirates’: More than five million households across UK experienced parcel thefts in past year, figures suggest”.