Police probe reports of parcels taken from Kingsway doorsteps

Police are investigating reports of parcels being taken away from doorsteps.

The investigation follows footage being shared on social media by residents in the Kingsway area of Gloucester.

Jean Bryan posted doorbell footage of a courier taking a parcel from her doorstep earlier this month: “I was just in disbelief that someone could just lift a parcel that was on the doorstep in broad daylight,” she said.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed they had received reports of couriers taking parcels from doorsteps in the Kingsway area of Gloucester.

Ms Bryan discovered a parcel was missing after she returned home and checked her doorbell camera.

“When I went through all my footage, I witnessed the driver arriving at my door with the parcel, put the parcel down and take a photo,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe he put the Parcelforce parcel under his arm and took it to his van.”

She said the man returned to her house later and said it had been a mistake.

He told her that his manager had told him to come back and explain he had delivered it to the wrong house.

“But he hadn’t delivered it to the wrong house at all,” said Ms Bryan.

Ms Bryan said she will also be more cautious moving forward: “I will put a notice on the door clearly stating to ring the door and if there’s no answer leave with a neighbour. I can’ tafford to lose any more parcels”.

A spokesperson for Evri said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour of this kind.

“We apologise sincerely to anyone impacted.

“The driver was working for a third-party courier and we can confirm they will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.”

A statement from Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “We received three reports of couriers taking parcels from doorsteps in the Kingsway area of Gloucester.

“It was reported that a courier had either falsely claimed to deliver an item or took a parcel already sitting on the doorstep.

“It is understood that the delivery driver has revisited each victim and either returned the parcels or offered to pay for them.

“Enquiries are continuing at this time.”