The Government is investigating concerns over parcels being abandoned on doorsteps by delivery drivers, where they are easily stolen or lost, The i Paper can reveal.
A business and trade minister described the practice of abandoning packages on doorsteps, rather than in a designated safe space, as “unacceptable”.
And it is understood Business Secretary Peter Kyle has ordered his department to look into this issue – with particular concerns over complaints about Evri and other delivery companies ramping up over the Christmas period.
Ofcom, which is responsible for regulating delivery companies, is also planning to write to operators in the final days before Christmas telling them to reduce the number of parcels being left, The i Paper understands.
A Government source said: “Ordering gifts online is such a big part of Christmas shopping for most of us and bad service is just not good enough.”
Kyle is “concerned that customers and businesses who use these services are protected and has asked officials to look into this issue”, the source added.
Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, posed a written parliamentary question to the Government asking what “discussions [the minister] has had with Evri and other delivery companies on leaving parcels unattended on doorsteps”.
Responding, junior business and trade minister Blair McDougall said: “It is unacceptable for delivery companies to leave parcels unattended on doorsteps where that has not been requested by a customer.”
He made the point that Evri, and other parcel delivery companies, were “independent businesses” with the Government not taking any operational role in their running.
“Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services,” he added. “Ofcom engages regularly with all parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of, and compliance with, its consumer protection measures.”
‘Porch pirates costing millions a year’
Speaking to The i Paper, Nichols said her question was prompted by her own experience losing a parcel as well as the issue repeatedly being raised by constituents.
“It is not just Evri but they certainly seem to be the one I get the most complaints about. We have a process where the delivery people are often not paid well or a paid per delivery and have a quick turnaround, which perhaps incentivises this. Its bad all round for everyone – those delivering, those receiving and retailers,” she said.
“I saw reports about so-called ‘porch pirates’ [people who steal unattended parcels] costing millions a year in theft of packages, and ultimately that ends up being paid by the retailers and there is no way that is not then being handed on to consumers.
“I think a bit of a steer from the Government, saying this is not acceptable and we need you to do better, will give the industry a push to improve standards.”
Freedom of Information requests published last month by technology company Quadian revealed more than £666m worth of parcels were stolen across the UK in 2025, nearly £290m more than 2024.
More than 3.5m UK homes lost at least one delivery to thieves during the 12 months from July 2023 to August 2024.
A recent Ofcom survey of the 11 largest operators, published in October, found Evri recorded the most issues for parcels not being delivered and the highest level of customer dissatisfaction.
Ofcom said it had strengthened its regulations in 2023 so parcel firms “must have a simple and transparent complaints process in place, and have clear and effective policies and procedures for the fair treatment of disabled customers”.
Its spokesperson said: “While several companies have made a number of changes, and overall satisfaction with parcel delivery services is reasonably high, we’re continuing to press operators to make further improvements.”
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An Evri spokesperson said: “Our 30,000 couriers are working hard to deliver around four million parcels a day in our busiest weeks of the year. We are committed to helping customers receive their parcels safely.”
They said that Evri’s evidence suggested “doorstep theft is rare”, but customers could take specific steps to protect any goods they are having delivered.
These include nominating a “safe space” or neighbour for parcels to be delivered to, ensuring delivery preferences are up to date, or having goods delivered to parcel shops and lockers.
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