Woman's bid to reunite 'stolen' parcels with owners

4 hours ago

David McKenna,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshireand

Leanne Brown,Hull

News image — Katie Brown says she wants to reunite the items with their owners

Leanne Brown/BBC A woman sits on a sofa beside a collection of parcels, clothing, gifts and packaging. She is wearing a red and black striped top and necklace. — Katie Brown says she wants to reunite the items with their owners

A woman who found a number of Evri parcels ripped open and some of the contents discarded in bushes has taken to social media to try and reunite items with their owners.

Katie Brown said she found dozens of items in The Avenues area of Hull on Thursday morning while she was on the school run, including some of high-value.

"I don't like it when I lose my parcels, so I just thought it would be nice to try and get them back to people," she said.

Humberside Police said it was investigating reports of suspected stolen parcels. Evri said the parcels, most of which had since been recovered, were stolen from a courier's vehicle on Wednesday.

Discarded parcel packaging and delivery bags, including an Evri parcel, scattered on the ground beside a bin, with some packaging torn open. — Humberside Police says it is investigating reports of suspected stolen parcels

Brown said the items retrieved included a watch, jeans and a child's frilly, white dress.

"It was this [the dress] that made me want to make sure someone got it back," she said.

"I've got a little girl myself and I would have been disappointed if it had not come."

In a statement, Humberside Police said: "Officers were called to reports of suspected stolen parcels being found on Chanterlands Avenue, Hull on 15 October at about 09:00 BST.

"Our neighbourhood policing team are carrying out lines of enquires."

An Evri spokesperson said: "On Wednesday, a small number of parcels were stolen from a courier's vehicle, we do not condone any kind of violence against our team of community couriers and we're thankful the courier is unharmed.

"We have since recovered most of the stolen parcels.

"Anyone who is still waiting for a parcel should contact the retailer or sender, who can provide support and work with us to resolve any outstanding issues as quickly as possible."

Head and shoulders shot of a woman with blonde hair standing on a tree-lined path, wearing a dark quilted jacket and striped jumper. — Julie Coid says she has concerns about parcel deliveries

Some Hull residents have voiced their concerns about parcel deliveries in general.

Julie Coid, 66, a part-time exam invigilator, said she had often found parcels left on her doorstep without drivers even knocking.

"I can't say about Evri specifically, but most of them seem to be rushing," she said.

With Christmas approaching, she said: "I think more people are ordering online, and delivery drivers are overstretched... They're just trying to get round as quickly as they can."

Another resident, Joanne Thompson, 67, said she was shocked that anyone would steal parcels.

"It's personal stuff that someone else has paid for," she said.

Thompson said she preferred to use click and collect because it was more convenient.

"I don't have to stay in waiting for a delivery slot," she added.

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