A delivery driver has been sacked after getting caught stealing people’s parcels.
Security footage revealed an Evri delivery worker in Netherton, Merseyside, placing packages on doorsteps, taking photographs as proof of delivery, then removing the parcels and departing with them.
The courier has been dismissed following numerous complaints from local residents who discovered their items were missing despite receiving photographic confirmation of successful delivery.
The incidents came to light when homeowners reviewed their doorbell cameras and CCTV recordings.
The footage showed the driver avoiding knocking on doors or pressing doorbells, instead quietly positioning parcels for photography before retrieving them and leaving the premises.
Several affected customers have shared their experiences of the missing deliveries.
Sharon Woodford, aged 44, had purchased £80 worth of bracelets intended as Christmas gifts for her 13-year-old daughter and niece.
She received photographic evidence of delivery on November 17, though the image displayed the package at a neighbouring property’s entrance.
The delivery driver was seen taking the parcels after taking pictures of them for proof of delivery
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Upon investigating, she discovered the items had vanished.
Her neighbour’s security system had captured the courier’s actions.
Another victim, 22-year-old mother Chloe Harrison-King, experienced identical circumstances with her clothing order.
Former soldier Derek Wood, 55, discovered his gym flask delivery had been ripped open with the contents removed.
Many homeowners appear to have been affected
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The theft of Christmas presents has sparked particular concern amongst Netherton residents, with many highlighting the financial strain on households unable to replace stolen gifts.
Ms Woodford told the Liverpool ECHO: “Imagine how many people are missing parcels at Christmas, and a lot of people don’t have a lot of money.
“Some won’t be able to afford to replace missing presents.”
When she reported the incident on a neighbourhood Facebook group, the response was overwhelming.
“The community page lit up with people saying that they have had the same thing happen,” she said.
Derek Wood expressed his frustration about the timing: “At this time of year, a lot of people will be ordering Christmas presents, and sometimes you haven’t got the time to replace them.
“Stress levels will be going through the roof.”
Evri has responded to the incidents by terminating the courier’s employment. A company spokesman stated: “Every parcel matters to us. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour of this kind, and the courier will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.”
The spokesperson added: “The overwhelming majority of our 30,000 couriers are hard-working people who go out of their way to serve their local community and are highly regarded by customers who award them an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5.”