By admin 
This is the breathtaking moment a brazen thief walks up to a house and snatches a package left behind by a delivery person, before making off in seconds.
The shocking incident, which happened in broad daylight yesterday in Bexleyheath, Kent, has led to police warnings for people to become more vigilant if parcels are left unattended outside their homes, especially in the run-up to the festive season.
Deliveries will increase in the coming weeks as people take advantage of Black Friday deals and Christmas bargains online.
Doorbell CCTV footage shows a middle-aged man wearing a dark sweater, gray trousers and trainers emerging from a blue hatchback and heading towards the house.
Without hesitation, the man bends down to pick up a package delivered by a delivery person before sprinting back to the waiting car.
Within seconds the parcel, which contained an item worth almost £100, was snatched by the gift-hunting thieves.
Social media user Sophie Burke shared the video on Facebook in the hope that someone can provide information about the theft.
Sharing the clip with the public, she wrote: ‘Does anyone recognize this car or man who has decided to steal a parcel from my sister worth almost £100.’
This is the breathtaking moment a brazen thief smashed his way into a house in Bexleyheath, Kent and took a package from the door in broad daylight
Without hesitation, the man bends down to pick up the package delivered by a delivery person before sprinting back to a waiting car.
MailOnline revealed last year that a growing number of opportunistic thieves are making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods after spotting boxes being delivered to homes by couriers while recipients were away.
HOW TO STOP THEFT AT YOUR DOOR
Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk of doorstep theft:
Track your package to make sure you or someone else is home for delivery
Install a video doorbell – it can be connected to your mobile so you are immediately notified of any delivery, and it is easier to install than a full CCTV system
Install a safety light
Make sure your package is delivered to a trusted neighbor or other family members who are at home
If you live in an apartment, is there a concierge who can receive the package for you?
Use an external locker service for frequent deliveries or for expensive items
These parcel boxes are more likely to be in busy, more secure locations (such as supermarkets) than in remote areas where thieves could be targeted
Source: Met Police
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Freedom of Information requests sent to police reveal that some police forces receive multiple reports of package theft every day, with one in 10 households reporting the loss of a package.
The problem also gets worse at this time of year, with a quarter of all theft reports in the year to August 2023 being made in November and December.
Of the forces that responded, Hertfordshire Constabulary reported the highest number of parcel thefts per capita: 73 per 100,000, or 877 for the entire year – equating to more than two thefts per day.
Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, West Mercia and Lancashire also reported high rates of parcel theft, with each reporting at least one parcel theft per day on average.
Technology company Quadient, which requested the data, estimates that package theft has increased by 500 percent since 2019.
Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, executive vice-president of Quadient’s parcel locker division, says the problem has recently been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, with desperate thieves eager to make a quick buck.
But it has also been made worse by the fact that many people had stayed indoors during the coronavirus pandemic to wait for packages.
It says 22-34 year olds – many of whom are now returning to the office – are most likely to report lost packages.
Ms Bourgeais-Crémel said: ‘The scourge of porch piracy has intensified during the cost of living crisis, with national parcel theft increasing by more than 500% since 2019.
“Unattended items lying on your doorstep are waiting to be stolen.
The number of reports to the police could have increased partly due to a better awareness of the importance of reporting.
Social media user Sophie Burke shared the video on Facebook in the hope that someone can provide information about the theft
‘However, when you consider that more than one in ten households had their parcel stolen last year, porch piracy is clearly a major problem for businesses and consumers across the UK.’
Met Police said there are a number of ways residents can prevent parcel delivery theft.
It advises people to track their packages and ensure someone is home for delivery.
A video doorbell and security light can reassure people waiting for their parcels.
People are also advised to have their package delivered to a trusted neighbor, or to other family members who are at home, or to a locker service outside the location.