From cat litter to incontinence pads: UK shoppers on how ‘porch pirates’ got caught out
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Readers say doorstep theft is a ‘nightmare’, but some thieves have not got what they expected in parcels. Doorstep parcel thieves are making off with a variety of gadgets and pricey fashion items ranging from computer monitors to Ugg footwear. However, the “lucky dip” nature of the crime means some crooks are opening their pilfered packages to discover they contain biodegradable cat litter or incontinence pads.
![[A large consignment of Amazon deliveries left on a doorstep.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d649549f0f0fbdb228f592284d906bc7ff5e24ba/0_160_4807_2884/master/4807.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
An increase in home shopping has fuelled a rise in doorstep thefts, with “porch pirates” making off with an estimated £376m-worth of goods in the 12 months to August. November and December are the months when most reports are made, as Black Friday and Christmas purchases are sent out.
![[a man on the phone after opening an empty box]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/080a7b1602106a028b83d22def394d4625532fd8/0_391_5883_3530/master/5883.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Increasingly, victims are able to get evidence of the thefts from their own, or a neighbour’s, video doorbell, but that does not seem to be deterring the criminals. Dozens of people took part in a Guardian reader callout asking about doorstep delivery problems, with many saying they recently had items stolen from in front of their house.
![[a woman uses her phone after opening a box containing shoes]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5e44649f2facc0674e9e98db9c75d738061e1163/0_117_6000_3600/master/6000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Simon, who lives in Witney, Oxfordshire, says: “We have had several items stolen from our doorstep when we have not been at home, the most expensive being a computer monitor that cost about £300.”. He adds: “The most recent theft was last week. There have been several over the course of this year. Other than the monitor, nothing of real value has been taken.
![[A finger pushes a front doorbell which lights up in blue]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/96aa519b0694deaa539adfbc82ae2d37a633bbc3/0_138_4288_2573/master/4288.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
