Porch pirate's 'unbelievable' note after stealing woman's package from front door

One "porch pirate" who stole a package from a woman's front door took things a step further by leaving a cheeky note behind. Photo / 123RF

While parcel deliveries are on the rise during the festive season, so are the thieves who spend the time stalking couriers and stealing parcels.

And one porch pirate who stole a package from a woman's front door took things a step further by leaving a cheeky note behind.

A female resident of St Paul in Minnesota, US, called police after the parcel she had been notified about by her courier was no longer on her doorstep when she arrived home.

Instead, she came a across a note written by the thief.

"So just a quick little thank you for leaving me the opportunity of stealing your package. Very nice of you," the person wrote.

They even signed the letter off as: "The new owner of your package".

6.Look into the many innovative apps that allow delivery people to leave packages in your home or vehicle.

It’s bad enough that we have to worry about people stealing our packages. But now their leaving thank you notes? Ugh. pic.twitter.com/5lFquc9OJ3

— Saint Paul Police Department (@sppdmn) December 13, 2019

St Paul Police Department, who believed the thief's act was unbelievable, shared a photo of the note and warned residents to take extra care when expecting deliveries.

"Porch pirates are the scourge of the holiday season, creeping around neighbourhoods at all hours of the day, tip-toeing up to homes, stealing packages that don't belong to them," they warned.

New Zealand Post told the Herald how Kiwis can keep their parcels secure during the Christmas period.

"NZ Post is proud to have a range of secure delivery  options available to help keep your Christmas parcels safe and sound. We're pleased to offer customers the ability to have parcels directed to one of our almost 300 parcel collect locations – including Countdown supermarkets.

"Customers can also text us to redirect delivery if you get held up and aren't going to be home in time to collect it. Customers can even tell us the exact spot where you want us to leave your parcel, for example 'on the back porch under the BBQ cover' and our delivery people will make sure it's safely tucked away. You can find out more on our website www.nzpost.co.nz."