DELIVERY drivers are being urged to lock their vans and cars when they are left unattended after a number of vehicle thefts across the West Midlands in the past few weeks.
In the latest one a woman suffered a broken finger and a sprained ankle as she tried to stop a thief who jumped in her delivery van in Sheldon on November 5.
The 30-year-old tried to open the door, but was hit by the van as it sped off, throwing her to the floor.
Another incident in Wolverhampton on November 6 saw a driver suffer cuts and bruises after he grabbed the door handle on the passenger side of his car to prevent it being stolen and was dragged along before having to let go.
With Christmas just over a month away it is a particularly busy time for couriers who work around the clock to get parcels delivered, particularly this year during the Covid lockdown as more people shop online.
Police say parcel thieves targeted delivery vehicles for valuable items and have been known to loot parcels, and steal vans and cars.
And with ten delivery vehicle thefts in as many days in two areas of the West Midlands, police are reminding drivers not to leave their engines running and to remove keys and lock their cars or vans every single time they are left unattended.
It applies to courier company employees and also self-employed couriers.
Those unfortunate to be targeted should not tackle the raiders, consider their own safety first and ‘not be a hero’.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We are working with delivery companies to share crime prevention and safety messages so we can all receive the parcels we have ordered.”
Any suspicious behaviour around delivery vehicles should be reported via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or by calling 101 at any time.
