Police dealt with more than 900 reports of parcel thefts last year, more than ever before.

Kent Police revealed there were 57% more reports made last year than in 2021, but only a small number resulted in someone being charged.

Most recently available statistics on parcel and letter thefts, recorded between January and the end of November last year, show there were 934 such reports.

This outstrips the number recorded in 2021 (596).

The figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show there's been a steady increase in the numbers since 2017.

In 2017, the number of parcel/ post thefts were 205, rising to 231 in 2018, 216 in 2019, 270 in 2020, 596 in 2021 and 934 in 2022, which only covers January to November.

In most cases recorded last year (824), the investigation was closed because no suspect had been identified.

Additionally, in 39 reports, the victim was unable to or declined to support further police action.

In the past year, there's been six charges. In one case, the victim or a key witness was either dead, or too ill to prosecute.

At the time of the Local Democracy Reporting Service obtaining the figures, 11 reports remained under investigation.

Superintendent Pete Steenhuis said: "We have seen an increase in reports of thefts of parcels and letters, with 205 reports received in Kent in 2017, and 934 reports in 2022.

"It is important to note this is not an issue just in Kent, but nationally too. This could be down to a number of factors, including an increase in online shopping, especially over the pandemic period.

"Kent Police investigates all reports of theft and is committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

"Residents and business owners are always encouraged to take steps to reduce their chances of becoming victims of crime.

"Private CCTV, security lighting, and alarms can be valuable tools in deterring criminals.

"Other measures such as security marking and documenting valuables and ensuring nothing is left on display can also help to prevent burglary and theft.

"Agree a safe place for parcel delivery if you know you are not going to be available when it arrives.

"Reviewing any CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam opportunities is one of many inquiries officers will carry out when a crime is reported and can assist in identifying offenders.

"As well as this, monitored CCTV in a town or city centre helps police to respond quickly to incidents and arrest offenders."

One KentOnline reader said they had been a victim of this crime "many times", probably as a result of living on a main road and having parcels left outside.

They claimed most of the time courier firms did not ring the doorbell and instead chose to leave them by his front door.

Another said they no longer have items delivered to their home and chose to pick them up from a shop or locker after having one stolen from their doorstep.

A few other readers seemed to have a similar issue, where they claim the culprit is still yet to be caught despite having doorbell footage of the crime.

Last week, witnesses said they had seen a driver abandon a large bag of parcels in Bon Fleur Lane, near Coxheath, Maidstone, prompting an investigation to be launched by delivery firm Evri.

A brazen thief was caught on CCTV stealing Christmas presents left out for the binmen last month in Chestfield, near Whitstable.

A similar incident saw a man being caught on surveillance footage in Ashford stealing parcels from a resident's doorstep before returning to repeat the crime.

Last month, police arrested and bailed a man after sackfuls of deliveries were found dumped in a wooded area at the end of Beacon Road in Luton, Chatham.

An investigation was launched following the discovery.

Customers whose parcels are late, damaged or go missing may be entitled to compensation.

Your first port of call should always be with the company you ordered from, as your contract is with them rather than the firm it has subsequently instructed to deliver it.

Addtional reporting by Alex Langridge