3 ways to outsmart porch pirates and stop them stealing delivery packages from your doorstep, according to security pros
How to stop thieves from targeting your online shopping
If you’ve been waiting for a delivery, there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering it’s been stolen from your doorstep.
Regardless of whether you’ve ordered an expensive new outfit or picked up some home essentials on Prime, it is always upsetting and angering to be the victim of porch pirates.
While there is no magic spell to prevent burglary, there are some safety measures you can take to stop thieves from stealing parcels from your front door, porch or even a designated safe space.
I spoke to security experts, and they revealed three ways to stop porch pirates from stealing your parcels this summer.
What are porch pirates?
When I say porch pirates, I’m referring to a slang term for thieves that steal unattended delivery parcels from porches, front doors and outbuildings.
Statistics show that burglaries increase during the summer months, as we’re all more likely to be away from our homes on either day trips, holidays or long weekends. Plus, as online shopping booms in popularity, it’s unsurprising that opportunistic thieves want to take advantage of this.
With Amazon Prime Day in the calendar for June, these are the safety precautions experts recommend to keep your home protected from porch pirates this summer.
1. Install a video doorbell
One of the most important steps you should take (especially if you not only have lots of parcels, but lots of visitors, too) is install a door bell camera.
‘Installing a doorbell camera that covers both the porch and driveway is a smart move to make property appear less accessible to thieves when they’re looking for packages to target,’ says Anthony Neary, security expert at Safe.co.uk.
Not only does it act as a physical deterrent, but it also gives households visibility over who’s approaching your home and provides footage in the event of any suspicious activity.'
It is worth investing in the best doorbell cameras for the most peace of mind. Models such as Ring Battery Video Doorbell (was £99.99, now £39.99 at Argos) will send you a real-time alert when a person or package arrives. You can even see more visitors with the head-to-toe camera, which provides a wider shot.
2. Install a lockbox
‘Placing a lockbox near your front door means that delivery drivers have a secure place to leave parcels if you are not at home,' says Dominic Smith, a home security expert from Bison Products.
'Once the driver has placed the parcel inside of the lockbox, it can only be opened by you, with lockboxes that can be secured to your home being the best option.'
You can pick up lock boxes, such as the Secure Outdoor Delivery Box for Packages (£75, B&Q), or even a wall-mounted lock box (£139.99, B&Q), depending on your needs. They look subtle and like a standard mailbox, so they won’t clash with your front door ideas. But what they will do is prevent thieves from reaching in and grabbing a parcel.
3. Add lights
‘Proper outdoor lighting is also key, as well-lit entryways remove the ability for thieves to hide in spots that are less visible on CCTV cameras and make it far more difficult for opportunists to approach a property unnoticed,’ says Anthony.
'Motion-sensor lights in particular are effective tools for alerting homeowners to suspicious activity, whilst also working to scare thieves away before they can reach the parcels.'
You want to layer visual deterrents to scare thieves off, and motion lighting is excellent for this. Opt for a motion sensor porch light (£55, Dunelm), as well as motion lights around the boundaries of your property and driveway. For example, motion sensor spotlights (£15, Argos) will help alert you when someone enters your driveway.
No one wants to be the victim of porch piracy, and by adding these safety precautions to your home, you are lessening your chances of being targeted.
