Quadient research flags rise and rise of porch pirates as record breaking thieves strike every seven seconds in the UK
Quadient has published research showing that a record breaking 4.83 million homes fell victim to porch piracy last year, equal to one package stolen every seven seconds.
37% of the 2,000 UK consumers surveyed for this who had experienced porch piracy say it caused them stress and anxiety, with women more likely to feel this way than men (42% vs 33%). While 26% say the theft left them feeling unsafe or more vulnerable where they live.
Parcel theft also disrupts day-to-day life and relationships. 26% of victims say it delayed them from doing something important, while almost one in four state they disappointed someone - for example, by not having a gift or item they had promised. Beyond the emotional and social impact, 29% of victims say parcel theft caused them financial loss, as they struggled to secure refunds or replacements. With £666.5 million worth of parcels stolen across the UK last year, the cost to consumers is significant.
And for many, that combination of stress and cost is a turning point in how they shop and receive deliveries. After a theft, 38% change their delivery instructions, 30% start using parcel lockers for deliveries, and 13% go so far as to avoid online shopping altogether.
However, the ripple effect extends well beyond direct victims. 21% of people haven’t been targeted themselves but know someone who has - and of those, 65% say it has made them more cautious about deliveries and where parcels are left.
“Parcel theft isn’t just about lost goods, it’s about lost peace of mind,” says Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, Director of Lockers Automation Europe at Quadient. “When something as everyday as a delivery starts to affect your mental health or how safe you feel at home, it becomes a wellbeing and trust issue, not just an inconvenience.”
“Knowing that a parcel is now stolen roughly every seven seconds in the UK shows how urgent it is to change the way we deliver packages. Beyond the psychological impact, people are changing how they shop and increasingly looking for safer options. Retailers, carriers, landlords and local authorities all have a role to play in restoring trust and making secure options the norm, so consumers can feel confident that their parcels and their peace of mind are protected.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Online delivery will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
