Black Friday delivery coming? Beware of porch pirate parcel thefts

'Tis the season for online gift shopping, and provincial police in Wellington County are remindingpeoplebe on the look-out for "porch pirates."

Police tend tosee an uptick in parcel thefts during the holidaysdue to an increase of online shopping. Packages aredelivered to doorsteps and left unattended making easy bait for package thieves.

"There is a seasonal increase without a doubt," said Const. JoshuaCunningham.

"People have an abundance of property that is vulnerable for theft, like gifts they purchase for people."

Stolen items, he adds, can range from home supplies to electronics and even medication.

Earlier in November, Wellington OPP received reports of a theft in Fergus after a parcel of pet medication wasstolen from the front steps of a home after being left by a delivery service.

As a result of a policeinvestigation, police say a teen suspectwas located and the parcel wasreturned.

"That is a prime example of opportunity knocks, where somebody sees something and perceives it to have a value and they take it," Cunningham said.

Tips to avoid a theft

Parcels left unattended at someone's front steps are easy to snatch, Cunningham said.

"It's a simple snatch and grab that has a high reward possibly," he said.

Cunningham said shoppers can take steps to avoid being the victims of theft:

• Keep track of your package online.
• Get an estimate of when that item will show up, and arrange to either be at home or have a friend or neighbour pick it up.
• Give instructions to the delivery service to place packages in a more discreet area.
• Have the item delivered to your work.
• Have the package delivered to a delivery depotfor pickup.
• Pick up the item in store.
• Install asecurity system that allows you to track and live stream what going outside your home.