Approximately 3.65bn parcels are now delivered yearly in the UK (on average 1 per person per week) by companies like Royal Mail, Amazon Logistics, Hermes, DHL, UPS, Yodel, DPD, FedEx or TNT.

Within these large and increasing volumes, a survey by NetDespatch in 2017 revealed that some 38% of people working full time away from home had between 1 and 5 parcels delivered to their neighbours in a month.

And it makes sense to prefer this option over travelling some distance to a collection point, or having more shocking courier practices like valuable items thrown over the fence, left randomly outside the property or in the rain, chucked in the recycle bin, not locatable based on the notes from the slip, and so on.

So with “delivery to your neighbour” becoming a growing industry now and the deficiencies in the way it is managed by couriers, one should not be surprised that more and more cases are being flagged in the media of inappropriate conduct, escalating tensions, or signs like this being displayed, etc.

We need to do something about this NOW, before it spirals out of control.

This petition is challenging Ofcom and parcel delivery companies to provide data publicly on these points in relation to leaving parcels with neighbours:

1. What percentage of those deliveries actually have the customer’s explicit permission to be left with a “designated” neighbour
2. In what proportion of cases is the receiving neighbour told by the agent of implications associated with signing for that package (so they can give informed consent to take it)
3. What training/ instructions are agents given for deciding on alternative ways of delivery or for choosing a neighbour when there isn't a nominated option 

All couriers must be able to demonstrate fair practices within their service in order for our deliveries not to be put at risk when we are not at home, and for us not to be embarrassed to rely on neighbours for receiving parcels whilst also helping them in return.

It is time for Ofcom to take its regulator role seriously on this matter, and for UK couriers to be more sensible and responsible when asking neighbours to sign for a parcel.

So please sign this petition if it resonates at all, and share it with any friends and family who receive parcels often for them to have their say too.

Help us get more people behind this message so we can raise it with the industry's representatives.