With news that 23 million packages are stolen or go missing from UK doorsteps, there's a warning for anyone with deliveries due from Checkatrade to protect  packages from ‘Porch Pirates’ .

Many people choose their porch as a dedicated 'safe place' for parcel delivery, but this can be a target for thieves in the run up to Christmas.

Thieves who target unattended parcels have ruined many festive plans, causing three in ten Brits to arrive without a loved one’s gift on Christmas Day As deliveries rise 10% in the run-up to Black Friday and Christmas, 36% of Brits have had a package stolen from their doorstep.

Meanwhile, for people under 45 who are likely to use parcel services more frequently, the figure climbs to over half (51%), according to new research. Almost a quarter (24%) have not receiving a present sent to them. A further 31% have been left out of pocket due to missing packages.

Checkatrade has seen searches for porch security increase as Brits spend more to combat these thieves.

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Its UK Home Improvement Index has seen a 41% upsurge in spending on home security projects alongside a 14% jump in security and alarm jobs. 

Checkatrade’s security specialist, Dan Smith of Smith & Greens Security Ltd, shares his top tips to help ward off thieves:

  1. Choosing the right landscape - Gravel in a front garden has benefits beyond its aesthetic appeal. The loud crunch created by footsteps on gravel makes it harder for thieves to approach and leave a property unnoticed, and this could deter them from targeting a home in the first place. 
  2. Putting them in the spotlight - Porch pirates typically seek out dark, unmonitored entryways. Installing outdoor motion-sensor lighting is a powerful preventative measure as it makes it more challenging for thieves to operate under the cover of darkness.
  3. Install a video doorbell or camera - For those in flats or apartments, security options may feel limited. However, installing a video doorbell or surveillance camera at your entrance can act as a deterrent and a helpful tool for catching unscrupulous characters in the act. 
  4. Use tactical front gardening - The landscape design of front gardens can be used as an advantage. Gardens with more foliage offer discreet locations for packages to be hidden rather than being exposed on patios. Front gardens with good foliage cover increase the time and effort it takes to steal parcels, likely reducing porch pirates' willingness to do so.
  5. Keeping the lights on - A home in complete darkness is a clear giveaway that no one's home. It’s worth installing a timer on interior lights or installing  smart bulbs. Timings can be randomised too so Porch Pirates don’t notice them turning on and off at the same time every day. 
  6. Secure packages with a lockbox - Lockboxes provide a secure place for package deliveries, and, if your budget allows, consider building a bespoke box that sits discreetly in your front garden which is less obvious to prying eyes.