Police have received reports of 10 delivery vehicle thefts in just 10 days,
Police are urging couriers to lock their vans and cars after a driver suffered a broken finger and a sprained ankle as she tried to stop a thief who jumped in her delivery van in Sheldon, Birmingham last week (Thu 5 Nov).
The 30-year-old woman tried to open the door, but was hit by the van as it sped off, throwing her to the floor.
And in Woodcross, Wolverhampton, on Friday (6 Nov) another driver suffered cuts and bruises after he grabbed the door handle on the passenger side of his car to prevent it being stolen and was dragged along before having to let go.
With Christmas just over a month away it’s a particularly busy time for couriers who work around the clock to get parcels delivered, particularly this year during the Covid lockdown as more people shop online.
Unfortunately parcel thieves target delivery vehicles for valuable items, and have been known to loot parcels, and steal vans and cars.
This month in Walsall and Wolverhampton alone Police have received reports of 10 delivery vehicle thefts in just 10 days, so today Police are reminding delivery drivers not to leave engines running and to remove keys and secure vehicles every single time they’re left unattended. This applies to courier company employees and also self-employed couriers.
And, if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted, don’t tackle the offenders, please consider your own safety first – don’t be a hero!
Police are working with delivery companies to share crime prevention and safety messages so that we can all receive the parcels we have ordered.