Four porch thefts unnerving and scary - victim

Families in a part of Birmingham are being urged to take sensible steps to avoid being a victim of parcel theft from their doorstep after a series of incidents.

It comes after Billy Corrigan, a resident of Bearwood, in Smethwick had four parcels were stolen, all captured on CCTV and reported to West Midlands Police, but no-one has yet been held responsible.

Corrigan was frustrated at the "inconsistent approach" of police as two thefts were classed as a consumer issue because parcels were not left in his agreed safe place.

The force said there had been a rise in thefts in the area and understood the negative impact they had, but urged people to track packages and nominate safe spots.

CCTV from Corrigan's house in July showed the moment a thief steals a parcel containing garden mirrors from his doorstep.

In May, a man walked past the home but then returned four minutes later to help himself to dog medicine.

A hooded top was taken in December and lamp a month earlier in November, he said.

All the incidents were reported to police but only two were investigated as the others remained a consumer issue, he added.

Watching the CCTV of the thefts taking place was "unnerving" and "really scary", he said, as people were watching his home and houses in the area.

"Having someone walk up your path, your front door. I could have been coming out of the door at that time. It's really scary," he said.

"What really gets to me is the inconsistent approach of the police.

"They've investigated half of the offences, they've not investigated the other half. That's incredibly frustrating.

"The rule either applies or it doesn't apply."

Retired head teacher Maureen O'Leary, who lives near Corrigan, said she had been the victim of two parcel thefts from her property.

Another resident said she was always mindful of trying to have someone at home when a delivery was due or use nearby lockers, adding "it was a sad state of affairs".

Corrigan said he understood delivery drivers were under "enormous pressure to do lots of drops very very quickly."

In a statement, WMP said it investigated thefts on 17 November last year and 18 May, but were unable to identify any suspects.

The complainant was advised to contact the firm regarding thefts on 17 December and 27 July as they had not left the parcel in a safe place agreed with the victim.

"We understand the negative impact parcel thefts have on people and we would urge everyone to heed our practical advice to reduce the risk of becoming a victim which can be found on our website," the force said.

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