The UK has witnessed a sharp rise in parcel theft, with the cost of "porch piracy" reaching £376.6m over the past year, according to a new report by Quadient. Aso known as package thieves, porch pirates are people who steal deliveries left on porches, stoops, or steps.
Quadient helps businesses optimise customer experience and operations. The data, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK police forces, reveals the average value of a stolen parcel has surged from £66.50 in 2023 to £102 in 2024—a 52% increase.
“No home is immune to the plague of parcel theft,” said Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, Director of Lockers Automation Europe at Quadient. “Higher-value items are being targeted, and flats have become hotspots due to the opportunity to steal multiple parcels at once.”
Young professionals aged 22–34 were identified as the most affected demographic, with parcels most commonly stolen during working hours, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The holiday season continues to be a peak time for theft, with November and December seeing the highest incidents.
Regional disparities and vulnerable locations
The report uncovered significant regional differences in parcel theft trends. Northumbria recorded the highest average value of stolen parcels at £202.20, while Derbyshire reported an average of just £4.24.
Bedfordshire topped the chart for the highest number of thefts (701), whereas the City of London reported no incidents.
Londoners are among the most frequent victims, with nearly 19% of residents experiencing parcel theft in the past year. Communal areas in blocks of flats have proven particularly vulnerable, as thieves exploit the lack of surveillance to target multiple deliveries simultaneously.
“The UK’s parcel theft problem is everywhere,” Bourgeais-Crémel explained. “Porch pirates are even targeting unconventional locations, from nurseries to prisons, making parcel theft an increasingly lucrative business.”
Mitigating the porch piracy epidemic
The report emphasises the urgent need for preventative measures to curb parcel theft. Quadient advocates for greater use of parcel lockers, which allow secure collection of deliveries outside of regular working hours.
“Retailers and carriers must collaborate to tackle this issue,” Bourgeais-Crémel urged. “By offering secure options like parcel lockers, businesses can mitigate theft while freeing up police resources to focus on more serious crimes.”
With Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, vigilance will be essential to prevent further losses. Experts recommend consumers track their deliveries closely and consider opting for secure delivery alternatives.
