Birmingham teen arrested after delivery depot reports items stolen from parcels

A 17-year-old boy from Birmingham[1] has been arrested on suspicion of theft from his employer at a delivery depot. It comes after a number of items were reported stolen from parcels. The suspect was accused of stealing a mobile phone from one parcel at the depot based in Atherstone, Warwickshire[2].

Police said the teenager reportedly took the parcel out to the smoking area of the site to open it. When challenged by another member of staff, he allegedly threw the phone over a neighbouring fence, police said. The firm reported a series of similar thefts in recent weeks which they suspect may have been committed by the same employee.

The teenager has been released on bail pending further investigation. PC Chloe Trotter of Warwickshire[4] Police said "Our communities rely on delivery services a great deal, particularly at this time of year. "We appreciate the vigilance of staff working at the courier services against criminality, and we encourage anyone having parcels delivered to check that they're arriving intact, and to report it to the delivery company if they are not."

"A number of parcel content thefts have been reported over the last couple of months across the country," added a force spokesperson. "Parcel were opened with the valuable contents removed and replaced with worthless objects of a similar weight. "This has been reported from various courier services and distributors. If you are having a valuable item delivered, you have the right to politely ask your delivery driver to wait while you check the contents of the parcel.

"Some companies will send you a password to give to your driver as proof of delivery.

If you refuse delivery due to missing items, the delivery driver should report the reason for refusal to their company.

You should always report missing items to the retailer and the courier service as soon as possible."

References

1. ^ Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Warwickshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ A38 traffic delays live after crash blocks lanes near St Chads Queensway tunnel (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Warwickshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)