A gang of masked thieves brazenly raided a DPD delivery van in broad daylight in east London, leaving the driver helpless as the perpetrators stole a large number of parcels. The incident took place in Forest Gate, where the driver had parked the van to make deliveries. Video footage shows the terrified driver with his hands raised while the gang ransacked the vehicle and loaded stolen goods into their car.

This episode is not isolated. Similar thefts have been reported across east London, including in Dagenham where two masked thieves were caught on camera stealing parcels from a stationary DPD van. The footage from that incident reveals the thieves quickly loading packages into their vehicle despite bystanders’ pleas, with the driver unable to intervene. These thefts have been speculated to target high-value items such as the recently released iPhone 15, though police involvement remains unclear in some cases.

Concerns about the security of delivery vehicles are growing as these incidents become more frequent and more brazen. In another occurrence not far from Forest Gate, two thieves were filmed raiding a Waitrose home delivery van near Bow Common. The culprits, arriving on Lime bikes, stole items directly from the parked vehicle. Videos of these raids have circulated widely on social media, raising alarms over the vulnerability of goods during last-mile delivery.

While these delivery-related thefts grab headlines, it is worth noting the broader context of security and public safety operations in east London. The Forest Gate area was previously the scene of a high-profile anti-terror raid in 2006, which later investigations found to have been based on faulty intelligence. The Independent Police Complaints Commission called for an apology from Scotland Yard after the raid, acknowledging that the operation caused distress to innocent families due to erroneous information about a chemical bomb threat. This history underscores the challenges faced by authorities in balancing security measures with community trust.

The rising trend of parcel thefts from delivery vans not only disrupts logistics operations but also threatens the safety and confidence of delivery personnel. The incidents highlight a pressing need for enhanced protective measures and law enforcement attention to secure the last leg of supply chains in urban areas vulnerable to such criminal activities.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services