A FESTIVE alert has been sounded after bogus parcel deliverers rang homes to ask when people will be in.

Postal bosses in East Lancs fear the tactic is being used by potential burglars and have warned people to be on their guard.

Parcelforce Worldwide's depot in Blackburn has received several telephone calls from people alerting them to the problem.

The caller asks when a person will be at home to receive a parcel with the intention of finding out when nobody will be in.

Parcelforce spokesman Sue Franks said: "This appears to be a tactic used in various locations around the country by criminals who are gathering information as to when addresses are unoccupied.

"Parcelforce never contacts people at their home address.

"An attempt will be made to deliver a parcel, if the recipient is not at home and the parcel has been sent on one of our services requiring a signature of receipt a card will be left explaining an attempt has been made to deliver a parcel and a further attempt will be made the following day.

"A depot contact number is also on the card to enable the customer to arrange a more convenient date for delivery should they wish to do so.

"If the parcel does not require a signature the Parcelforce Worldwide employee will leave the parcel in a safe place out of view such as a garage, outbuilding, greenhouse or covered porch or with a neighbour.

"A note will be left explaining where the parcel can be found."

Police are investigating.

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