Prime season means you’ll be delivering more parcels, working longer hours, and, unfortunately, have more opportunists looking to steal from vans and doorsteps. Here are some ideas to help you keep safe and protect your deliveries.
Looking After Your Van
Turn off the engine and take your keys every time you leave your van. Yes, even for 20 seconds. Van thefts rise massively during peak season, partly because thieves know that vans could be full of parcels.
- Lock your doors straight away. Get in the habit – every single time. If your van has an auto-lock feature, use it.
- Park where you can see your van from the house. Try to park facing outwards so you can drive off quickly if needed. Don’t box yourself in.
- Keep the back doors shut and don’t let people see what’s inside. If you’ve got obviously expensive cargo (such as electronics in branded boxes), keep them towards the front of the van, not by the back doors. Keep your next few drops near the door for speed, but hide the expensive parcels deeper in the load.
Keeping Yourself Safe
It’s really important to pay attention to what’s going on around you. Watch out for people hanging about near your van or following you, and trust your gut. If something feels wrong, be vigilant, even if that means taking the parcel back to the depot and telling someone. No parcel is worth getting hurt over.
Although you are running a standard route, try not to be too predictable. If you deliver to the same places regularly, mix up the direction you arrive from, or deliver at different times if possible.
Plus, also make sure your phone is charged. You may need it for emergencies, on top of your sat nav, or to report problems.
Protecting Your Parcels
Read the delivery note instructions, as customers often write where they want parcels hidden, especially during peak and prime seasons. Following their instructions stops parcels from getting stolen. Don’t leave deliveries where everyone can see them from the street. Put them behind bins, plant pots, or furniture. If somewhere looks dodgy, don’t leave the parcel there – follow your DSP’s rules about what to do instead.
Take photos of every parcel you leave, especially expensive ones. This protects you if customers claim they didn’t get it, and it helps the retailer spot where theft is happening.
If you see anything suspicious – someone following you, watching where you’re going, or hanging around your van – tell your DSP and the police straight away. You might also prevent other drivers from getting burgled.
If You See Theft Happening
Never try to stop thieves yourself. Your safety ALWAYS comes first. If you see someone stealing parcels, stay back and call 999, then tell your DSP what happened. Try to remember what the thieves looked like, what car they were driving, the registration number, and which way they went. This may help the police. If someone steals parcels from your route, think about changing how you deliver in that area for the rest of your shift.
Places Where Theft Happens More
Blocks of flats can be bad during peak season. Take parcels right to people’s doors instead of leaving them in the lobby if you can. Use door codes from the delivery notes, and be careful about letting strangers follow you into the building.
Busy estates where you can’t see the doors from the road need extra care. Take your time properly hiding the parcels and follow the customer’s instructions. Take photos from different angles showing that the parcel is well hidden.
If you are delivering in the evening, use a torch, stick to well-lit areas, and be extra careful to lock your van.
Communicating
When you are delivering, use the app to call or text customers if you’re not sure where to leave expensive parcels or if their instructions aren’t clear.
Also, make sure you tell your DSP if you notice the same addresses or areas being hit repeatedly, and check whether the area you are delivering in has local crime alerts or neighbourhood watch groups that share information about thefts. The more you know, the better prepaed you can be.
Remember During Peak Season
Being tired makes you prone to making mistakes. Longer shifts and more drops wear you down, so make sure you take your breaks, drink plenty of water, and stay focused, even when you’re feeling tired.
Rain, snow and dark nights make everything harder and more dangerous. Slow down. Don’t rush and make mistakes.
The pressure to rush shouldn’t make you skip safety steps. The rules exist for good reasons.
Important Phone Numbers
Keep these handy:
- 999 for emergencies
- Your DSP contact number
- 101 (non-emergency police) for your area
Bottom Line
Peak season is hard work, but it can also bring in extra money for you with the workload and day rates available. Following these tips can help protect you, your van, and the parcels you are carrying during this busy time.
Most days will be fine, but it’s worth being prepared for when things go wrong. Look after yourself. Stay alert, and remember – no parcel is worth getting hurt over.
Always follow your DSP’s instructions. These are suggestions to help you, not replacements for your company’s rules.