Moment thief swipes parcel from doorstep is caught on doorbell cam as gangs focusing on Christmas presents begin early

This is the jaw-dropping moment a brazen thief strides towards a house and swipes a parcel left by a delivery driver, before making off in a matter of mere seconds.

The shocking incident, which happened yesterday in broad daylight in Bexleyheath, Kent, has prompted warnings by police for people to become more vigilant around parcels being left unattended outside their homes, especially in the run-up to the festive season.

Deliveries are set to increase over the next few weeks as people take advantage of Black Friday deals and Christmas bargains online.

Doorbell camera footage shows a middle-aged man wearing a dark jumper, grey trousers and trainers emerging from a blue hatchback car and making his way towards the house.

Without hesitation, the man bends down to pick up a package that had been dropped off by a delivery driver before sprinting back to the waiting car.

In just a few seconds, the parcel – which contained an item worth nearly £100 – has been taken off by the present-hunting thieves.

Social media user Sophie Burke shared the video on Facebook in the hope someone may be able to provide information about the theft.

Sharing the clip with the public, she wrote: ‘Anyone recognise this car or man who has decided to steal my sisters parcel worth nearly £100.’

MailOnline last year revealed a growing number of opportunistic thieves are making off with goods worth hundreds of pounds after spotting boxes dropped off at homes by couriers when recipients aren’t in.

Freedom of Information requests sent to police forces reveal some constabularies are receiving multiple reports of parcel theft each 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 made in November and December.

Of the forces that responded, Hertfordshire Constabulary reported the greatest number of parcel thefts per head of population: 73 per 100,000, or 877 throughout the year – equivalent to more than two thefts a day.

Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, West Mercia and Lancashire also reported high rates of parcel theft, each reporting at least one parcel theft per day on average. 

Tech firm Quadient, which requested the data, estimates that parcel theft has surged 500 per cent since 2019. 

Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, executive vice-president of Quadient’s parcel locker division, says the problem has been exacerbated recently by the cost-of-living crisis, with desperate thieves keen to make a quick buck.

But it has also been worsened by the fact that many people who would have stayed in to wait for parcels during the coronavirus pandemic. 

It says 22-34-year-olds – many of whom are now returning to offices – were most likely to report lost packages.

Ms Bourgeais-Crémel said: ‘The plague of porch piracy has intensified during the cost-of-living crisis, with nationwide parcel theft increasing more than 500% since 2019. 

‘Unattended items on doorsteps are just waiting to be stolen. 

The number reported to the police could have increased in part due to better awareness of the importance of reporting. 

‘However, when you consider more than one in ten households had a parcel stolen last year, porch piracy is clearly a big 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 parcels and ensure someone is at home for the delivery.

A video doorbell and security light can provide some reassurance for people awaiting their parcels. 

People are also advised to have their parcel delivered to a trusted neighbour, or other family members who will be at home, or alternatively an off-site locker service.