Cheshire Police Safety Notices

Hello folks, firstly I must apologise for the lateness of these Cheshire Police Safety Notices. Regular website contributor, John from Blacon, sent me these last week. Oops. But I was so busy on other things, I didn’t have time to post them. Sorry John. And many thanks again for the articles. As ever, they are very useful and informative. Anyway, on to the safety notices themselves.

Cheshire Police Safety Notices

These are two that are well worth taking note of. The first one relates to our Cheshire Fire Service phone numbers being spoofed by a marketing company. I’m not even sure how that could happen. But it has unfortunately.

The brief message for you to be aware of is:

Fire Service Numbers Spoofed

“You may have received a phone call from our main switchboard number, 01606 868700, or another one of our phone numbers with the 01606 868 prefix.

Please be aware that a telemarketing company is ‘spoofing’ these numbers without our consent, and the matter is being investigated. If you have received a call from this number and were not expecting it, please ignore it. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Message Sent By Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Police / Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Administrator, Corporate Communications).”

Take a note folks and spread the word where you can.

The second one is something I can quite recently relate to. And that is preventing theft from your doorstep.

Cheshire Police Safety Notices – Prevent Doorstep Theft

Read the safety warning first then I’ll mention my recent incident.

“Thefts from a doorstep are when a parcel that has been delivered to your home or business address is stolen from where it was left by the delivery driver.

This is a growing trend across the country, as thieves take advantage of the opportunity to steal unattended parcels. Preventing theft from your doorstep Here are some things you could do to reduce the risk of doorstep theft: 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 a security light. 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.

Stay Safe, Kind regards, PCSO Wendy Leason

Message Sent By Wendy Leason (Police, Community Support Officer, Saughall).”

My Doorstep Parcel Incident

It was a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night. Also, to point out, it wasn’t my parcel delivery. The parcel had been delivered to a neighbour further down the street from us. I decided to go on my daily walk at around 6:30. Not a big surprise, but it was raining. As it had been most of the day.

As I’m walking down our terraced street, I saw quite a big parcel awkwardly sitting on a doorstep. Already the box was well wet, so it must have been there for some time. Doing the neighbourly thing I rang the doorbell to let them know there was a parcel here for them. No answer. So, I rang next door’s (both sides) but again, no answer.

Not fully knowing how long the parcel had been there, I thought I would continue on my walk and check again on my way back. Sure enough, about an hour later, the parcel was still on the doorstep. Even wetter of course. Knocking and ringing again didn’t raise anyone, so I thought I would pop home and write a note.

The note was to let the recipient know that I had taken the parcel in for her (I had now seen the delivery label so I could address the note to her by name). At least now it is safe I thought.

Parcel Delivery Security

It so happens the young lady didn’t pick the parcel up from us until the Tuesday night. Initially, I was critical of the parcel delivery company for just ‘dumping’ the parcel. But, as there was no urgency to pick it up until the Tuesday, then the question could be asked, why order something knowing that you are not going to be in?

But fair do’s, that was explained. The young lady said she had been working away and had forgotten that this regular parcel delivery was on its way. If she had remembered of course then she would have been well advised to follow all the steps above.

Responsibility

However, how much responsibility if any, should be on the parcel delivery company? I think they should take on most of the responsibility. This relatively new approach of merely leaving parcels on doorsteps is so dangerous. In this particular incident, what if a would be parcel thief had not only decided to steal the parcel, but now had bigger prizes in view as it became evident the recipient wasn’t at home. And so, in all likelihood, the property was empty.

The young lady could have returned home to an even bigger nightmare than just a missing food parcel.

A parcel left on a doorstep does not only present an opportunity for thieves to steal the parcel, it may also be a calling card to announce that the property is empty. An even bigger problem as mentioned above.

So, should a parcel delivery company just dump a parcel. Especially if the recipient hasn’t indicated in the emails and texts etc that they would be home at the estimated delivery time range? I think there may be an element of if there has not been confirmation that the recipient will be home during that delivery time span range, then the parcel doesn’t get delivered.

What To Do Then?

There are so many options of the best approach to suit all parties. Too many for this article. But I’m sure merely dumping the parcel isn’t one of them. But, from the parcel recipients point of view, take note of the “Cheshire Police Safety Notices” above. And do your level best to follow these guidelines. Don’t just ignore updates from the delivery company. Especially knowing that there is a chance that you won’t be in.

Anyway, I’m going off on a bit of a waffle aren’t I. Not like me is it? I said……it’s not like me, is it!!! Thank you. And thank you again to John for these very useful Cheshire Police Safety Notices. Apologies again for the late posting.

Stay safe everyone.

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