Rise of the Christmas parcel bandits: How brazen thieves are pinching YOUR presents from delivery vans in broad daylight

Christmas parcel bandits are plaguing streets and cities across the UK, brazenly stealing presents from delivery vans in broad daylight. Footage of the incident shows a trio of men picking their way through the items and loading them into a waiting black vehicle Pictured are suspected thieves stealing parcels from delivery vans, in footage captured by a covert Metropolitan Police team In a dramatic video released by police, cops can be seen swarming a vehicle suspected to contain a gang of thieves who snatch parcels from a delivery van earlier Covert teams have been lying in wait across the capital, filming thieves as they break into delivery vans or snatch gifts from porches. Pictured are officer carrying out one raid As well as using new vehicle tactics to ambush gangs, the Met are also supported on the operation by flying units and police dogs Officers were seen detaining one man following the covert operation in the capital 'Delivery drivers work tirelessly to bring presents to your door and we won't stand by whilst they're being targeted.' This brazen parcel thief strolled up to a doorstep in Bexleyheath, Kent, before leaving in a car Parcel thieves are growing increasingly brazen in a crime spree costing Brits hundreds of millions of pounds every year How to stop porch pirates from stealing your parcels Track your parcel to someone is at home for the delivery Install a video doorbell to be notified of deliveries instantly; it is also easier to install than CCTV Install a security light to spook would-be thieves at night Arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a neighbour, or other family members who will be at home Use an off-site locker service for frequent deliveries, or for expensive items Source: NPCC Around half of police forces responded with data on the number of parcels stolen, as well as how much they were worth. A terrified woman screamed 'call the police' as thieves held up a DPD van Quadient, which produces parcel lockers like the one above, says shoppers should consider other ways of having their purchases delivered if they can't be at home Your browser does not support iframes.