The holiday season brings joy, gifts, and unfortunately, a spike in parcel theft. With Christmas around the corner, Australia Post is issuing a warning about an increase in “porch pirates”—thieves who snatch parcels left unattended at doorsteps. If you’re one of the many waiting eagerly for your online shopping orders, now’s the time to take extra precautions to ensure they don’t go missing.
Why Porch Pirates Are on the Rise
It’s not hard to see why thieves target parcels during the festive season. With so many deliveries coming and going, the opportunities for stealing packages are ripe. The excitement around Christmas means more people are shopping online, leading to a flood of deliveries—many of which are left outside when people aren’t home. This gives thieves a golden opportunity to make off with gifts, often without anyone noticing.
CrimeStoppers Victoria’s CEO, Stella Smith, says that thieves are fast and opportunistic. “Simple steps like choosing secure delivery options and reporting any suspicious behaviour can make a real difference,” she explains to 9News. For example, opting for parcel lockers or secure pick-up points can significantly reduce the risk of theft.
How to Protect Your Packages
Australia Post is urging customers to use secure delivery options to avoid becoming a victim of theft. One great solution is parcel lockers, which are available at post offices and can be accessed 24/7. These lockers ensure that packages are kept safe until you can pick them up, and the best part? You don’t have to wait for the post office to be open. It’s a simple and effective way to keep your items out of the hands of thieves.
Another helpful tool is the Australia Post app, which allows you to track your deliveries and make redirection requests. This means you can have your parcels sent to a local post office or to a safe place on your property if you won’t be home. The app gives you more control over your deliveries, reducing the chances of them going missing.
Australia Post General Manager of Group Security, Kevin Zuccato, adds, “If a parcel is stolen after it’s been delivered, it becomes a matter for police. But we’re encouraging customers to consider secure delivery options to reduce the risk of this happening.”
What to Do if Your Parcel Goes Missing
If your parcel does go missing, the first step is to contact your local police or CrimeStoppers to report the theft. If you have footage of the thief or any suspicious activity, share it with authorities to help them prevent future incidents. It’s also important to be vigilant and keep an eye out for any unusual activity in your neighborhood, especially as Christmas approaches.
Australia Post’s Christmas Deliveries
In response to the holiday rush, Australia Post has brought back Saturday deliveries to ensure parcels arrive on time. This is a great move, especially for last-minute shoppers. However, if you want to guarantee your packages arrive by Christmas, be sure to meet the cutoff dates: for regular Parcel Post, make sure it’s posted by December 22 for same-state metro areas, and for Express Post, aim for December 23.
