A man has been arrested after parcels were stolen from two delivery vans in Wallasey.

Police were called just after 9.05am on Saturday (December 2) to a report three men targeted the van after it was parked on Parkfield Drive as the driver carried out a delivery.

The men damaged the door of the van in order to gain access, stole a number of parcels and got away in a black Ford Focus car.

A short time later, at 9.15am, a similar incident was reported on Wallacre Road where three men again got out of a black Ford Focus.

One of the men threatened the driver, demanding he open the van and asked for expensive parcels before putting them in the car.

The Ford Focus was then driven away in the direction of Wallasey Village.

A 21-year-old man from Bedford was later arrested on suspicion of robbery. He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

Detective Inspector Emma Kerrigan added: "Delivery drivers provide a vital service all year round, but especially at this time of year when they will be busy delivering gifts and helping families enjoy the festive season.

"For them to be faced with threats of violence while they try to earn a living is simply not acceptable.

"We have launched an investigation into these incidents and while we have made an arrest, our enquiries continue and we appeal to the public to come forward.

Det Insp Kerrigan added: "We launched this year’s Operation Shepherd last week, an extensive force-wide operation involving a wide variety of teams, each with their own area of expertise, and they all play a part in keeping our communities safe over the festive period.

"A key element of Operation Shepherd is our efforts to prevent crime more likely to happen at the time of year, including the targeting of delivery vans and homes as people prepare for Christmas.

"We’ve working with online retailers and delivery companies to prevent and deter would-be thieves from stealing packages whether it is from delivery vans or doorsteps.

"For example, placing trackers in random packages before they even get to the doorstep - as the tracked packages are identical to the non-tracked ones, there’s no way for potential thieves to be sure if they’re inadvertently taking us home with them."

As part of the Op Shepherd campaign, police have shared 10 tips for delivery drivers to stay safe:

  1. Be aware of any vehicle following you. If followed, do not exit the vehicle, keep doors locked, keep moving, and call the police
  2. If something does not look or feel right, do not make the delivery. Stay in your vehicle and report any suspicious activity to the police
  3. Never leave your engine running or your keys in the ignition when making a drop. Always lock your doors, take your keys with you and remain vigilant when making your delivery
  4. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that are not well lit. Park under a streetlight if possible and carry a torch to illuminate dark areas and walkways
  5. Be alert to anyone acting suspiciously in the immediate area of the delivery location
  6. Ensure your vehicle is working properly
  7. Fit a tracker on your vehicle and install dashcam
  8. If you feel threatened, activate the panic alarm on your vehicle or sound your horn to draw attention to the situation and potentially deter the criminals
  9. Do not flash money during transactions and limit the amount of cash you carry
  10. If an emergency occurs, remain at the scene only if it is safe and call 999. If it is not safe to remain at the scene, get to a place of safety and call 999

If you have any information, CCTV footage or dashcam footage relating to this incident, DM Merseyside Police on X via @MerPolCC quoting reference 23001216886, call 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.