Only 1 in 333 parcel thefts reported: Shocking UK doorstep crime statistics revealed

Just one in every 333 parcel thefts from UK doorsteps are reported to police, new analysis has found.

A spike in thefts is expected this week as Amazon Prime Day deals provoke a buying frenzy amid bargain hunters from 8 to 11 July.

That means millions of parcels will be delivered to homes across the country - however a new study suggests a growing number may never make it indoors.

According to Quadient data, more than 2,300 parcels were stolen during the summer months last year. While the festive period often dominates conversations around "porch pirates", delivery theft over summer months has quietly become another peak season for parcel crime.

Longer daylight hours and more people away from home are aided by a spike in online orders driven by mid-year sales events and holiday shoppers, all contribute to a dramatic rise.

But the data from the parcel logistics company reveals that only one in every 333 parcel thefts are reported to police. Based on this, the company estimates that at least 3.69 million UK households experienced a delivery theft in 2024, representing a national loss of more than £376 million.

Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, Director of Lockers Automation Europe at Quadient, says the timing of Prime Day makes this a particularly vulnerable period for unattended parcels.

She said: "We tend to think of parcel theft as a winter issue, but the data points clearly to summer as a hotspot.

"With more people out enjoying the good weather or away on holiday, many parcels are left in plain sight. The good news is that simple steps, like choosing secure smart lockers for their deliveries, can make a big difference."

As online shopping volumes continue to grow, Quadient says it is vital that consumers consider secure delivery alternatives at the checkout, and for retailers and carriers to see last-mile security as a valuable part of their customer experience.