The bizarre reason 10 Canvey Island post boxes have been taped off and sealed

Ten post boxes in Essex have been taped shut leaving residents utterly baffled.

The familiar red post boxes on Canvey Island were taped shut yesterday (Thursday, August 15) with confusion spreading as to why.

Many were left unable to post items and there was plenty of conversation on social media as to why this drastic action had been taken.

However, today (Friday, August 16) residents now have an answer as to why the red boxes on their streets had been sealed shut – someone lost the keys.

Royal Mail have revealed that someone ‘misplaced’ a set of keys which opens the post boxes, meaning they face a security threat.

They said that there is a possibility that a member of the public now has those keys and that means they would have access to other people’s post.

To protect everyone’s mail, Royal mail emptied the post boxes with a spare key and have sealed them up so no more can be put in.

The post boxes were sealed shut in Kings Road, Dovervelt Road, Mappel Avenue, Furtherwick Road, May Avenue and on the seafront.

Pictures show the red boxes still taped up with residents able to use the post office to send their items of mail instead.

A spokesman for Royal mail said: “We can confirm that unfortunately ten postboxes on Canvey Island are currently out of service after the keys were misplaced.

“Royal Mail would like to sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience this may cause.

“New keys are on order. We hope to reopen the boxes soon.”