A courier for delivery giant Hermes has been suspended after leaving Christmas deliveries in an inappropriate place, causing them to be stolen.
Suffolk police was first alerted to an issue with the courier firm after a call from a resident in Magingley Crescent, Kesgrave, who reported witnessing a parcel being stolen from outside their neighbour’s front door at around 2.30pm.
During a search of the area, police then found discarded packaging addressed to a resident of Brendon Drive, and notified the family involved.
However, the family had not been aware that Hermes had delivered the parcel, a £60 pair of trainers intended as a Christmas present, as the delivery driver had failed to post a notice through the door advising that they had visited, or where the parcel had been stored.
After taking the matter up with police, the resident returned home today to find a further two parcels – together worth more than £500 – had again been left by Hermes, propped behind a small plant in the front garden and in plain view of people passing by.
The issue has sparked debate on social media, with one user posting on Facebook: “£180 worth of Next goods delivered today, card put through the door saying goods left behind gates. Got home lunchtime, no parcels!”
Another added: “I live in a block of flats and they left mine by the stairs where anyone could just take it. They’ve done it a few times. I wasn’t happy.”
Following questions put to them by the Ipswich Star, a spokesperson for Hermes said: “We handle over 210 million parcels every year and the vast majority of these are delivered safely.
“As such we believe that most of our customers receive good service, but accept that a small proportion may not receive acceptable standards of service and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“Our policy is that if a customer is not at home our couriers will firstly try a neighbour and then, if unsuccessful, will leave the item in a safe place such as a garage, shed, porch, outbuilding or greenhouse and leave the customer a calling card advising of the delivery location.
“If there is nowhere safe to leave the parcel then the courier will reattempt delivery up to three times, leaving a calling card after each attempt.
“Clearly in this case the courier did not follow procedures and we accept that these examples were in no way ‘a safe place’.
“Any customer affected by a theft will be fully compensated either by ourselves or by the retailer they purchased the item from.
“The courier involved has been suspended while we undertake a full investigation.”
The suspects are described as being teenage boys on bikes. One resident has said one of the bikes is pink.
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