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Merseyside Police report almost 150 instances of doorstep parcel theft

CRIMINALS cashing in as Police records from 23 Forces across the UK reveal that thefts of parcels and packages order by online shoppers have risen sharply over the last 3 years. Thefts of parcels and packages from Britain's doorsteps have surged by nearly 25% over the last 3 years, according to Police records from England and Wales. The data, obtained under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act by iParcelBox, the smart home parcel delivery solution, showed a whopping 2,578 thefts were reported to 23 Police Forces which supplied information across the UK. The figures show a rise a rise of 786 thefts in the financial year of 2016 to 2017, that is up to 962 within the financial year of 2018 to 2019; an increase of 22%. The total figures of UK parcel theft are likely to be substantially higher, as only ½ of the UK's Police Forces provided a formal response. The area with the highest levels of parcel thefts was Lancashire Constabulary, which reported 292 thefts in total and 108 in the last 12 months. Merseyside Police reported 140 instances of parcel theft with 55 in the most recent financial year. The West Country was also revealed as a hotspot for parcel crime with 20% of all thefts coming from this area. Devon and Cornwall Police reporting 264 thefts in total, with 91 in the 2019. Meanwhile Avon and Somerset Police reported 262 incidents of parcel theft in total. Additionally, Leicestershire Police reported a total of 216 thefts over the period, closely followed by West Midlands Police, on 211 incidents. The lowest areas of parcel theft came from Nottinghamshire Constabulary with only 21 accounts of parcel theft over a 3 year period (1% of total figures). Other safe areas considered to have low levels of parcel theft were Durham Constabulary which recorded 28 reports of parcel thefts and North Wales Police, which reported only 34 incidents.  Paul Needler, founder, iParcelBox comments:- "It's clear that the online shopping surge is fuelling a new crime wave of parcel thefts across the UK. For opportunistic thieves, the chance to steal an unattended parcel that is sitting on the doorstep is irresistible. Asking the delivery driver to place your package under a flowerpot or behind your wheelie bin when you're out should no longer be an option. Instead, it's vital that all online shoppers ensure they have a secure, easy to use, delivery box in place to receive their parcels."

Full table of Regional Force results below:-

Child sadly dies on the railway in Bootle - Merseyside

ON 15 October 2019 a 12 year old boy sadly died on the railway, at around 7pm, in Bootle, Merseyside, from injuries were consistent with electrocution. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and an investigation has been launched. We are told that Officers from British Transport Police were called to the railway lines following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Also attending the incident where North West Ambulance Service Paramedics, but sadly the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The British Transport Police have informed us that the boy's family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained Ffamily Liaison Officers. They are requesting privacy at this difficult time.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Lewis said:- "This is an incredibly tragic incident which I know will have shocked many in the local community. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the boy's family and request that they are given the space and privacy they need to come to terms with this devastating loss. While we have no reason to be believe there were any suspicious circumstances to this incident, we are still working to establish the full circumstances behind the boy's death. I would like to appeal to anyone in the area who may have seen 2 young boys close to the tracks around this time to get in touch with us. You can do so by texting:- '61016' or calling:- 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference:- '488 of 14/10/19.'"

If you have been affected by any of the details mentioned within this story, you can contact support organisations directly, such as:- Samaritans, via calling:- 116 123, and the Cruse Bereavement Cruse, who can be contacted via:- 0808 808 1677 for help. Another is the LoveJasmine.Org.UK. you can also get help via contacting your local Doctor (GP) and Access Sefton  on:- 0300 303 2708. please remember that is ok to say:- "I'm not ok."