Allegations of theft and poor delivery practices have surfaced from within Evri, a major UK parcel delivery service, just as the holiday season approaches. A driver, known only as Daniel, has reported that some of his colleagues are stealing packages intended for customers, with one claiming to earn approximately £200 a month from selling stolen goods online.
In an interview, Daniel described witnessing a colleague flaunting a new pair of Nike trainers that he allegedly stole from a delivery intended for a customer. “He was meant to deliver them earlier that day and I said he should put them in the back in the box. But he laughed, saying it didn’t matter as the customer was never getting them,” Daniel stated. “Turns out he’d taken a picture of the delivery at the doorstep, but then took the package back to the van.”
With only a week until Christmas, British consumers are heavily reliant on delivery companies like Evri to ensure timely delivery of gifts. Yet, the company has faced increasing scrutiny. In early 2025, Evri projected it would lose eight million packages, despite reporting pre-tax profits of £119 million for the previous financial year. While some missing parcels eventually reach their rightful owners, many are either damaged or fall victim to theft by so-called “porch pirates” or even employees.
Daniel revealed that one of his colleagues bragged about stealing parcels from retailers such as ASOS and Pretty Little Thing, knowing she could profit by selling them on platforms like Vinted and eBay. “She would pinch parcels and claimed she could make around £200 a month selling stuff on second-hand sites,” he explained.
According to a recent survey by Ofcom, seven percent of customers reported non-delivery of parcels from Evri in the first half of 2025, compared to an industry average of four percent. Furthermore, Evri faced the highest rate of delivery delays, with 14 percent of parcels reported late, against an industry average of eight percent. Customer satisfaction stood at a mere 31 percent, significantly lower than competitors like Amazon and FedEx, which garnered satisfaction ratings of 57 percent.
Daniel, who has worked with Evri for 18 months, noted that supervisors do address the issue of theft and have conducted investigations. “Drivers have definitely been investigated, but it’s often very hard to find proof,” he stated, adding that the lack of CCTV makes it difficult to substantiate claims of theft.
Feeling uneasy about the culture of theft, Daniel attempted to report the pilfering but faced backlash from his colleagues. “I warned I’d report them, but the drivers got nasty with me,” he recounted. “I was threatened. They said they’d make my life hell if I said anything, so I kept quiet.” Ultimately, he transferred to another location where he felt the drivers were more honest.
Concerns about delivery practices have prompted political action. Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP for Gosport, recently contacted Evri following numerous complaints about parcels being dumped or incorrectly marked as delivered. She urged the company to locate lost parcels and ensure staff adhere to proper procedures.
On Monday, a Panorama investigation revealed that changes to the compensation structure for couriers, rolled out in January 2025, have pushed drivers to cut corners to maintain their income. Evri claims its 30,000 self-employed couriers earn an average of £20.86 per hour, which is above the National Minimum Wage. However, earnings fluctuate based on the number of deliveries completed, and couriers must cover their own expenses, such as fuel and insurance, as well as manage their own tax and National Insurance contributions.
Despite his unsettling experiences, Daniel has not considered leaving Evri. “The pay is better at Evri, even though the hours are long,” he said. His shifts often begin at 5 a.m. and can extend until 6 p.m. or later, depending on the number of deliveries.
He expressed frustration over being mistakenly accused of stealing parcels by customers. “Most customers hate us and will shout at us,” he remarked. “I know one reported a driver to the police, but there was no evidence and as far as I’m aware, he was innocent.”
Describing the chaotic environment of the depots, Daniel stated that drivers are often tasked with delivering up to 200 parcels a day during the busy holiday season. “The depots are chaotic. There are mountains of parcels everywhere and a huge backlog,” he said. He noted that packages can easily get lost in the warehouse and may take weeks or even months to turn up. “It’s not surprising when you see how many parcels there are waiting to go out.”
He also criticized the careless handling of parcels, stating that the pressure to deliver quickly often leads to rough treatment, even for fragile items. “I’ve seen parcels chucked over fences into gardens or put under cars,” he explained. “Then it gets run over, as people don’t know it’s there. It’s such a waste of money.”
Despite the challenges, Daniel remains committed to delivering parcels to customers. “There are some terrible drivers, but there are a lot of good eggs too,” he said.
As for potential solutions to the theft issue, Daniel believes it would be difficult to eliminate entirely. “There is just so much temptation and a lot of drivers don’t earn a lot of money. Many have families to support, and it gets worse at this time of year. They don’t think they are hurting anyone.”
In response to the allegations, an Evri spokesperson emphasized that the vast majority of their drivers are hard-working and reliable. The spokesperson reiterated the company’s zero-tolerance policy towards theft and mentioned that they work closely with law enforcement to pursue prosecutions. “Every parcel matters to us, and the vast majority of parcels are delivered on time,” they stated. “Most couriers are highly regarded by customers who award them an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5.”
The identity of the driver has been changed to protect his privacy.
