Man and woman arrested after parcels stolen from doorsteps in Hemel Hempstead

Officers investigating the theft of parcels from doorsteps in Hemel Hempstead have arrested two people.

A 28-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, both from Hemel Hempstead, were arrested on suspicion of theft of mail yesterday afternoon (Sun, March 14).

They currently remain in police custody.

The arrests are in relation to parcels which have been taken from doorsteps across the town on a number of days in the last week.

Sergeant Sarah Bunyan, from the Dacorum Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We have seen a recent rise in these types of thefts because people are understandably having more items delivered to their homes during lockdown.

“If you live in Hemel Hempstead, please check footage from your doorbell cameras or home CCTV systems over the last few days and contact us if you think you have captured any suspicious activity.

“If you have been a victim of this type of crime and have not yet reported it to us, or you have any further information that you think may be useful to our investigation, then please get in touch.”

You can email investigating officer DC Amanda Gibbs at [email protected], report information online, talk to one of the Force Communication Room operators via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or call 101.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit its website.

You can use the force's community voice platform ‘echo’ to let police know what you think they should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping the local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit bit.ly/police-dacorum to have your say.

Hertfordshire Constabulary would like to share the following crime prevention advice from the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to doorstep thefts:

- Track your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery.

- Install a video doorbell; this can be connected to your mobile so you are notified immediately of any delivery, and is easier to install than a full CCTV system.

- Install security lighting to the front and rear of your property.

- Arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a trusted neighbour, or other family members who will be at home; if you live in a flat, is there a concierge who could accept the parcel for you?

- Use an off-site locker service for frequent deliveries, or for expensive items; these parcel boxes are more likely to be in busy, safer locations - such as supermarkets - rather than secluded areas which could be targeted by thieves.