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The moment a person, locally nicknamed as “the Grinch”, stole a package from the porch of a Cambridgeshire home has been caught on camera.
Residents across Cambourne and Papworth Everard, in South Cambridgeshire have shared stories of stolen deliveries this week.
Naomi Brodowski and her husband David, from Great Cambourne, were shocked to see a woman taking their parcel when they checked their Ring Door camera on Monday, December 7.
Mrs Brodowski, who works at a nearby hospital, said: “It’s not the same as someone coming into your house and taking something, but you do feel a little bit violated.”
She added: “It’s made me quite paranoid now about having things delivered.
“I was quite trusting because we’ve lived here for about a year and have always had stuff delivered and sometimes it has been left outside the front and has been fine.”
Fortunately, the couple’s Ring Door device was installed just two weeks prior.
While the Brodowskis ordered a £40 hoover from Amazon – and were reimbursed by the company – others have shared more distressing stories of pinched Christmas gifts.
In Papworth Everard, one man commented on Tuesday, December 8: “We had a Samsung Galaxy Tab stolen from our doorstep last week within 30 minutes of it being left.
“I had asked them to leave it in a safe place and now my son won’t be getting his Christmas present.”
Mrs Brodowski’s post on a local Facebook group has over 200 comments from other residents sharing similar tales and offering advice.
There was a vigilante atmosphere as residents discussed planting fake deliveries on their doorsteps to see if they could entice the thief, who they have nicknamed “the Grinch” on social media.
Oh it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere we go…
If you can’t get enough of the most wonderful time of the year then we’ve got the group for you.
Join our Christmas in Cambridgeshire Facebook group for all the latest festive news including recommendations, event listings, recipes, advice and more.
Think of it as your go-to place for all things festive.
To join the group click on the link or search for Christmas in Cambridgeshire on Facebook.
We also have a dedicated email address for everything Christmas. So if you have anything you want to send in use: cambschristmas@reachplc.com
South Cambridgeshire Police said on Facebook yesterday (December 10) that officers carried out plain clothes patrols in Cambourne following concerns that people’s parcels are going missing.
The police account announced: “Various delivery firm vans were observed delivering parcels and several drivers including one from Amazon and a Royal Mail postman spoken with and informed of the local concerns.
“If you are expecting a delivery and you are not going to be in, make sure your secure place is secure and not a shed/garage/outhouse or even behind the plant pot, that can be seen and accessed by anyone or your front door step.
“Ideally ask the company you have ordered with to pass on instructions to the delivery firm to leave with a trusted neighbour or rearrange your delivery for when you will be at home or send to your place of work if urgent and your employer doesn’t mind.
“If you believe your parcel has been stolen, report it to us online.”
