I have a plan to deal with parcel thief, will this work and will i be able to press charges? (UK)

Posted by Agitated-Lemon4000@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 123 comments

So I have had multiple parcels stolen over the last couple of months. I'm tired of it at this point, it's mostly kids stuff and random bits, not like its anything particularly valuable. I live in a flat building on the first floor and delivery drivers just drop the parcels in the ground floor communal area.

I've now bought a camera to record the theft, plan to leave a parcel out as bait so its all in shot of the camera (i dont really have much choice but to leave the package myself as its the only way I'll be able to get it all in shot).

I plan to get recordings of a few thefts to prove a trend, then take the evidence to the police, will this be enough to get charges brought against the thief? Is there anything else I should do (or shouldnt do)?

Final thing to clarify, I have complained numerous times to both retailers and couriers that if parcels get left downstairs they will probably get stolen, I have tried to deal with this other ways before resulting to what could be considered entrapment. Any advice and opinions will be appreciated.