Keep Your Deliveries Safe: Choosing the Best ‘Safe Place’ for Your Parcels

No One Home? Don’t Panic! Top Tips for Drop-Off Spot

With the continuous growth of online shopping, arranging for the secure receipt of home deliveries is a common concern. Designating a specific, secure location—often referred to as a ‘safe place’—for couriers to leave your items is a practical step to protect your purchases from theft and weather-related damage. A well-chosen spot offers peace of mind and makes the entire delivery process smoother for everyone involved.

Recent analysis has highlighted the scale of parcel theft, with one report estimating that 3.69 million UK households were affected by stolen deliveries in 2024, resulting in a national loss of over £376 million. This makes selecting a truly secure location more important than ever.

What Makes a Good Safe Place for Deliveries?

When deciding on a safe place, the main goals are to keep the parcel hidden from opportunistic thieves and protected from the elements. Delivery companies like Evri suggest that an ideal location should be sheltered, out of sight, and easily accessible for the courier.

Key Considerations for Your Safe Place:

• Out of Sight: The most crucial factor is concealment. A parcel that can’t be seen from the street is far less likely to be stolen. Consider locations that are not immediately visible to passers-by.
• Weatherproof: Your chosen spot must protect packages from rain, wind, and direct sunlight. A soggy box can damage the contents and compromise the integrity of the packaging.
• Accessible for Couriers: While the location should be discreet, it must be easily accessible for the delivery driver without difficulty. Complicated instructions or hard-to-reach spots can lead to missed deliveries.

Innovative and Secure Home Delivery Locations

Several practical and creative options around your property can serve as an excellent safe place.

Common and Effective Safe Place Ideas

Popular choices recommended by courier services include an enclosed porch, a shed, a greenhouse, or a garage. These structures provide good cover from both weather and prying eyes. Many people also arrange for deliveries to be left with a trusted neighbour, which remains one of the most common and reliable options.

You can often specify your preferred location directly with the delivery company. For instance, customers can nominate their secure place or a neighbour through Royal Mail’s Safeplace service. Similarly, DPD allows users to set a safe place via their app, giving them control over their delivery preferences.

Getting Creative with Concealment

If you don’t have a shed or an accessible outbuilding, simple creativity can be a practical solution. Consider placing parcels behind large planters, under sturdy outdoor furniture, or inside an unassuming storage bin that matches your home’s exterior. The goal is to make the package blend in with its surroundings, thereby reducing its visibility to potential thieves.

Investing in Enhanced Security for Your Parcels

For those who receive frequent or high-value deliveries, investing in dedicated security solutions can provide an extra layer of protection and confidence.

Secure Parcel Boxes

A lockable parcel box is a purpose-built solution that offers a high level of security. These boxes are designed to be weatherproof and are typically bolted to a wall or the ground, providing a secure container for couriers to place deliveries. Many modern designs are available that can accept multiple packages.

Home Security Technology

Visual deterrents are highly effective. The Metropolitan Police suggests that installing a video doorbell can help prevent doorstep theft, as it allows you to see and speak to anyone at your door remotely. The mere presence of a camera can be enough to deter a potential thief. Outdoor security cameras offer even broader coverage of your property, monitoring driveways and side entrances.

Alternative Delivery Options for Guaranteed Security

If leaving a parcel at your property isn’t a viable option, there are several secure alternatives.

Click & Collect and Local Lockers

Using an off-site locker service is a dependable way to receive parcels, particularly for valuable items. Services from companies like Amazon and InPost have lockers in convenient, busy locations such as supermarkets. You can also opt to have packages delivered to a local collection point or a corner shop, where they are held safely until you can collect them.

Delivery to Your Workplace

Having your parcel sent to your workplace is another secure option, provided your employer’s policy allows for personal deliveries. This ensures someone is always available to receive the package, eliminating the risk of it being left unattended.

Innovative Strategies for Secure Parcel Placement

With parcel theft on the rise, thinking carefully about where your deliveries are left is more important than ever. Fortunately, you have several effective options, from low-tech community cooperation to high-tech security devices.

Ask a Trusted Neighbour

Arranging for a neighbour to accept your deliveries is a simple and popular solution. Choose someone you trust who is frequently at home to hold onto your items until you can collect them. This arrangement offers both security and convenience. Many delivery services, including Royal Mail, will attempt to leave a parcel with a neighbour if you aren’t home. If you prefer not to use this option, Royal Mail allows you to request an opt-out sticker to display near your letterbox, preventing couriers from leaving items with those living nearby.

Use Technology to Protect Your Parcels

Investing in a smart doorbell provides a significant security advantage. Devices like Ring and Google Nest send instant notifications to your phone when they detect motion or the bell is pressed. This allows you to speak to the delivery person in real-time through two-way audio and provide instructions on where to leave the package. You can guide them to a less visible spot, giving you control over your delivery’s safety even when you’re not there. Some models like the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual even have a second camera specifically designed to monitor packages left on the ground.

What Are the Best Safe Places for Deliveries?

With parcel theft on the rise, leaving items in plain sight on the porch is a risky practice. Recent data shows that reports of stolen parcels in the UK have risen sharply, making it clear that unattended packages are prime targets. Choosing a secure, weatherproof, and discreet location is key.

Concealed Outdoor Locations

• Back Garden or Side Gate: These areas are often hidden from public view, making them ideal drop-off points.
• Behind Garden Furniture or Plant Pots: A simple but effective way to obscure a package from opportunistic thieves.
• Shed or Greenhouse: If you have an accessible outbuilding, it can serve as an excellent, secure spot. Many courier services, including Royal Mail, list a shed or greenhouse as a preferred safe place option.
• Garage: A garage, if accessible, provides a secure and sheltered location for parcels of all sizes.

Secure Storage Solutions

• Mail Slot: For smaller items like letters and slim packages, a mail slot offers direct and secure delivery into your home.
• Secure Delivery Boxes: For a more permanent solution, consider installing a dedicated parcel drop box. These containers allow a courier to deposit a package into a secure compartment that can only be accessed with a key or code. There are various types of secure parcel delivery boxes available, ranging from wall-mounted models to larger, freestanding units. They provide robust protection against both theft and adverse weather conditions.

Using Surveillance and Lighting for Added Security

Adding security cameras and good lighting to your chosen delivery spot can significantly deter thieves. Installing a camera provides a visual deterrent and allows you to monitor deliveries. Many modern systems can even distinguish between people, vehicles, and packages, sending specific alerts to your phone. There are numerous outdoor security cameras available for purchase in the UK, with options ranging from basic budget models to advanced systems featuring solar power and AI-driven tracking.

Adequate lighting serves two primary purposes. It makes your property less appealing to potential thieves and helps delivery drivers find your safe location, especially on dark winter evenings. Motion-activated lights are a brilliant choice. They switch on when they detect movement, which can startle an intruder and draw attention to the area, while also providing necessary light for couriers making deliveries after dark.

Provide Clear Instructions to Delivery Services

Clear communication of your preferences is essential for a successful delivery. When you place an order online, use the delivery instructions field to provide simple and precise directions to your safe place. Couriers work to tight schedules, so clear guidance helps them deliver your parcel quickly and correctly.

Most major delivery companies in the UK allow you to set your preferences through their apps or websites. For example, you can download the Royal Mail App to set a permanent Safeplace for all your deliveries. Similarly, services like Evri and DPD let you divert parcels to a nominated safe place or a trusted neighbour while the item is in transit. It is a good practice to review and update these instructions periodically to maintain a smooth and secure delivery experience.

Professional Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when a parcel is ‘left in a safe place’?

When a courier leaves your parcel in a ‘safe place’, it means they have placed it in a pre-designated location at your property because you were not home. The aim is to secure the package from theft and protect it from weather damage. A good, safe place should be out of sight from the street, sheltered from rain, and easily accessible for the driver. Common examples include a shed, an enclosed porch, or behind a large plant pot.

How do I tell couriers where to leave my parcel?

You can usually provide instructions during the checkout process when ordering online. For more permanent arrangements, many couriers have apps or online portals where you can set your preferences. DPD, for instance, allows you to log in to their app to specify your delivery preferences, including nominating a safe place. Evri offers a similar service through their app, allowing you to divert a parcel to a secure location at any point during the delivery process.

What should I do if my parcel is stolen from my designated safe place?

If a parcel is stolen from a secure location that you have nominated, the situation can become complicated. Often, once the parcel is left in your chosen spot, the responsibility may pass to you. Your first step should be to contact the retailer, as your contract is with them, not the courier. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the retailer is responsible for the item until it is in your possession. It’s advisable also to report the theft to the police to get a crime reference number, which can support your claim with the retailer.