Porch pirates are on the rise… and these are areas most focused: What are YOUR rights if it occurs to you?

Hertfordshire has been branded the worst place in Britain for ‘porch pirates’.

Since 2023, there have been 1,688 parcel thefts from outside people’s homes reported to the police in the area.

Many incidents will go unreported, meaning the true figure could be far higher. 

With an average of 563 parcel thefts reported each year in Hertfordshire, the county’s police force issued a warning to local residents about the problem and how to tackle it in December via a local newspaper. 

Across Leicestershire, there were 1,410 doorstep parcel thefts reported to the police between 2023 to 2025, equating to around 470 a year. This made it the place with the second-highest number of porch piracy incidents. 

However, some counties refused to report the data, which was obtained via a Freedom of Information request by shipping firm Pack & Send.

Residents is Essex need to be careful, too. The county was dubbed the second worst location in Britain for doorstep parcel thefts

Police in Essex said around £844,250 worth of parcel contents had been stolen between 2023 and 2025, adding that in 2025 alone, nearly £16,000 worth of items had been pinched. 

Out of the 45 British police forces approached, 23 provided the requested information. Twelve forces also provided a monthly breakdown of incidents reported. 

Humberside and Northumbria completed the worst five areas most likely to experience doorstep parcel theft of those that reported, with 799 and 634 incidents respectively in the period.

Police in Northumbria estimated that the value of stolen parcels over the last three years in its vicinity equated to £74,780, or £118 per parcel, on average.

Completing the top ten police forces with the most reports of parcel theft – of those that offered up their data – were North Wales Police, 598, West Mercia Police, 579, South Yorkshire Police, 516, Dyfed-Powys Police, 437, and Lincolnshire Police, with 418 cases reported between 2023 and 2025.  

Of all the locations included in the findings, January was found to be the worst month for doorstep parcel thefts, followed by December and October. 

Which locations are safest?

According to the analysis, Derbyshire’s police force received the lowest number of parcel thefts during the period, with just two reported in three years. 

Again, however, many incidents of parcel theft will go unreported so it is unlikely the real number is so low.  

Police in Cleveland also received just three reports of parcel theft in the period, with a total value of £253. 

Meanwhile, police in North Yorkshire recorded five doorstep parcel thefts worth £865. 

Rounding out the top five least pirated areas was the City of London, with a reported 35 thefts over three years, averaging 12 per year. 

Cheshire was the fifth-safest location, with 43 parcels reported stolen, meaning 14 per year on average. 

Wiltshire, Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, South Wales and Surrey also made it to the top 10 locations with the lowest number of porch piracy incidents reported to the police. 

Yahya Logde, marketing manager at Pack & Send, said: ‘Porch piracy is no longer just a problem during the festive season, as police forces are seeing consistent cases throughout the year and spikes in January in particular. 

‘Fuelled by post-Christmas sales, returns, delayed deliveries and dark evenings, there are plenty of opportunities for porch pirates to strike.

‘It’s also expanded beyond big cities to become a nationwide issue, with smaller and more rural areas seeing high levels of doorstep theft.’ 

Nicole Nyamwiza, a senior lecturer in criminology at The University of Law, said: ‘As online shopping has become embedded in routine consumer behaviour, particularly in the years following the pandemic, we are seeing far more parcels left in visible and inherently vulnerable locations.

‘This pattern aligns closely with routine activity theory, a foundational criminological theory which proposes that crime occurs when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardianship. Porch piracy embodies this intersection.’ 

What are your rights if a parcel is stolen?

It is important to know your rights if a parcel you were expecting gets stolen in transit or from your doorstep. 

1. Are you entitled to a refund or replacement?

Dr Jennifer Obaseki, founder of Obaseki Solicitors, says: ‘You are normally entitled to a refund or replacement if your parcel is stolen from your doorstep, though it does depend on how the delivery was made.’

She continues: ‘Under section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods remain at the seller’s risk until they come into your physical possession, or the possession of someone you have specifically nominated to receive them. 

‘So, if a parcel is left on your doorstep without your explicit permission and is later stolen, delivery has not legally occurred.

‘Even if the courier takes a photograph showing the parcel outside your home, that does not amount to physical possession.

‘In these circumstances, the retailer is legally responsible and must offer either a refund or a replacement. This is a legal right, not a favour. 

‘Retailers sometimes argue that delivery was “completed” once the parcel reached your address. However, statutory rights cannot be overridden by company terms and conditions. Any clause attempting to transfer the risk to you before lawful delivery is likely unenforceable.’

The Consumer Rights Act places responsibility squarely on the seller, not the courier and not the consumer. If goods are lost or stolen before lawful delivery, the seller is in breach of contract. 

2. Should you nominated a ‘safe place’ for your parcel or deliver to a neighbour?

Many couriers give customers the option to nominate a ‘safe place’ where the delivery person can leave their parcel if they are not at home – for example, inside a porch or inside a wheelie bin. Some also allow them to nominate a neighbour to take their parcel. 

However, it’s vital to think twice before doing so, as it can effectively invalidate your rights to a refund or replacement.  

Obaseki says: ‘If you specify an unsecure “safe place” and your parcel is stolen, you are liable as the firm and courier have followed your instructions.

‘If you do not leave instructions and your parcel is stolen, the retailer is legally bound to replace your parcel.’

If you designate a neighbour to take in our parcel, ensure the neighbour is specifically named and make sure they will be available to physically accept the parcel.  

3. Does using a credit card for the purchase help?

Under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, your credit card provider is jointly liable for purchases between £100 and £30,000 if something goes wrong.

It means that, if the retailer refuses to replace your item or refund you, you could turn to your credit card company and ask them to reimburse you instead. 

If you paid via debit card or a credit card, it may also be possible to do a chargeback with your bank. 

Scott Dixon, consumer and motoring disputes expert, told This is Money: ‘If the retailer refuses a refund and resolves your dispute with missing goods, you can make a chargeback within 120 days with your bank or credit card provider and cite “breach of contract” under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

‘Chargebacks are often rejected on the first attempt. 

You need to push hard and state that a breach of contract has taken place. This puts the onus on the retailer to prove otherwise.’

He added: ‘It’s worth mentioning to the retailer that if they do not give you a refund that you are entitled to, you will raise a chargeback instead.’

Obaseki said: ‘Digital payment services, such as PayPal, may also offer buyer protection for missing items.’ 

4. Who should you complain to?

Your contract is always with the retailer – not the courier. It is the retailer’s responsibility to make things right, although they may try and shift the blame to the delivery firm.

The retailer must pursue the courier themselves, and can’t ask you to do it on its behalf.  

‘Contact the retailer as soon as possible if your order has been lost, stolen, damaged or delayed,’ says Dixon.

Dixon added: ‘If your parcel was delivered to a location you did not agree to, for example – it was left with your neighbour without your consent, it is the seller’s legal responsibility to resolve the issue.’ 

5. How can you reduce the risk of parcel theft?

Use video doorbells or security cameras as deterrents and evidence if a parcel theft occurs. Parcel lock boxes or secure delivery bins can also be useful to deter crooks. 

When available, timed delivery slots can also be helpful if you can arrange to be at home to receive the parcel. However, not all delivery staff ring the doorbell when they deliver parcels.

Again, if available, use live tracking to keep tabs on your parcel’s journey and delivery.