Evri Driver Sacked in Liverpool: CCTV Exposes Parcel Theft (What You Need to Know)
The video footage is brazen. A courier walks up to a doorstep in Netherton, places a parcel down, snaps a “Proof of Delivery” photo, and then, instead of walking away—picks the parcel back up and returns to his van.
For residents in Merseyside, this isn’t just a viral clip; it’s a confirmation of their worst fears regarding online shopping.
Following a storm of outrage on social media, the Evri driver sacked in Liverpool has become a headline story, highlighting a growing issue in the UK’s last-mile delivery network. But while the news cycle focuses on the scandal, thousands of shoppers are left asking a more practical question: If this happens to me, how do I get my money back?
This article breaks down the incident caught on camera, explains the mechanics of the “Proof of Delivery” scam, and provides a legally backed step-by-step guide to reclaiming your money if you fall victim to parcel theft this Christmas.
The Viral Incident: Caught on Camera in Netherton
The incident that sparked the controversy occurred in late November 2025, right as the peak Christmas shopping season began to ramp up. Residents in the Netherton area of Liverpool began noticing a pattern of missing items marked as “delivered.”
According to the Liverpool Echo, which first broke the story Liverpool Echo – Evri driver sacked after being caught on CCTV, local resident Sharon Woodford was instrumental in exposing the theft. Her neighbor’s CCTV system captured the courier in a high-visibility jacket executing the theft with practiced ease.
The Sequence of Events
The footage, shared widely in local community groups, shows a clear sequence:
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The Approach: The driver arrives at the property with the package.
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The “Proof”: He places the item on the doorstep and takes a photograph using his handheld terminal.
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The Theft: Immediately after securing the photo—which is sent to the customer as proof of delivery—he retrieves the parcel and returns to his vehicle.
This visual evidence turned what is usually a “he said, she said” dispute into an open-and-shut case. Without the camera, the customer would have received a notification stating, “Your parcel has been delivered,” accompanied by a photo of the item sitting on their own porch.
Why Did This Happen? The ‘Proof of Delivery’ Scam Explained
To understand how to protect yourself, you need to understand the mechanics of the scam. Why take the photo first?
As a consumer advocate analyzing logistics, I see this specific tactic frequently. It exploits a loophole in the automated delivery systems used by major couriers like Evri, Amazon, and Yodel.
The “False Positive” Loophole
The driver’s handheld device (HHT) requires a data point to close the job and trigger payment. In the gig economy, drivers are often paid per parcel (sometimes as little as 50p to £1 per drop).
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The System’s Logic: The system assumes that if a photo exists of the parcel at the GPS location of the house, the delivery is successful.
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The Scam: By taking the photo before stealing the item, the driver satisfies the algorithm. The tracking updates to “Delivered,” shifting the burden of proof onto the homeowner.
If you call customer service, their first response is often, “Our records show it was delivered, here is the photo.” This gaslighting technique relies on you giving up out of frustration.
Evri’s Response: Zero Tolerance or Empty Words?
Following the release of the footage and the subsequent backlash, Evri moved quickly to contain the PR damage.
In a statement to the press, an Evri spokesperson confirmed the Evri driver sacked in Liverpool was no longer working for the company:
“We have apologized to the customers affected and have reassured them that the courier will not be delivering for us again. We have a zero-tolerance policy for this behavior and investigate all allegations.” Evri Official News/Press Page
While this specific driver has been removed, the incident raises broader questions about the security of the courier network. Reports from the Manchester Evening News suggest similar incidents have occurred across the North West, indicating this is not an isolated bad apple, but a potential systemic risk during high-pressure periods like Black Friday and Christmas.
Your Rights: What to Do If Your Evri Parcel Is Stolen
If you find yourself in a similar situation—tracking says “delivered,” but the porch is empty—panic often sets in. Most people make the mistake of fighting the courier directly.
Stop doing that.
Here is the correct, legally backed process to ensure you get a full refund.
The Golden Rule: Who is Liable?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, your contract is with the retailer, not the courier.
Even though Evri lost (or stole) the parcel, you did not pay Evri. You paid the shop (e.g., ASOS, John Lewis, eBay seller). The law states that the goods remain the retailer’s responsibility until they are physically in your possession or in the possession of someone you nominated (like a neighbor).
Key Takeaway: If an item is stolen from your doorstep, legally, the retailer has failed to deliver what you paid for.
Step-by-Step Refund Process
1. Gather Your Evidence
Don’t just send an angry email. Build a case file.
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Download the “Proof of Delivery” photo: Does it show the parcel in a safe place? Does it show your door?
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Check CCTV: If you or a neighbor have a Ring doorbell or similar system, save the footage immediately.
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Timeline: Note the exact time the email said “delivered” vs. the time you checked the door.
2. Contact the Retailer (Not Evri)
Send a formal complaint to the seller. You can use this template to ensure they take you seriously:
“Reference: Order #12345. My goods have not been delivered. The tracking states ‘delivered,’ but I have not received the item. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the risk remains with the trader until the goods are in my physical possession. I request a full replacement or refund immediately.”
3. The “Chargeback” Safety Net
If the retailer refuses to refund you (claiming they have a delivery photo), you have two powerful banking tools:
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Chargeback: For debit card purchases. You ask your bank to reverse the transaction because “goods were not received.”
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Section 75: For credit card purchases over £100. This makes the credit card provider jointly liable with the retailer. If the shop won’t pay, the bank must.
How to Protect Your Deliveries This Christmas
The Evri driver sacked in Liverpool story is a wake-up call. While you can’t control who delivers your parcel, you can control where they deliver it to minimize the risk of theft.
1. Stop Using “Safe Place: Porch”
“Leave on porch” is a magnet for opportunists. If a driver leaves a parcel on your doorstep and it gets stolen, retailers may argue you “nominated” that safe place, which can complicate your refund claim.
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Action: Change your preferences to “Deliver to Neighbor” or a specific, hidden location (e.g., inside a recycling bin—just don’t forget it’s there!).
2. Utilize ParcelShops and Lockers
This is the single most effective way to stop courier theft.
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Evri ParcelShops: Most local newsagents act as collection points.
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Amazon Lockers: These are secure, steel lockers. When you choose a collection point, the chain of custody is unbroken. The driver hands it to a shopkeeper or scans it into a secure locker. They cannot steal it without an immediate digital trail showing the item never arrived at the secure location.
3. The “Video Doorbell” Deterrent
As proven in the Netherton case, cameras are your best witness. Even if a driver ignores the camera, the footage is irrefutable proof for your Section 75 claim.
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Pro-Tip: Ensure your camera covers the approach to your door, not just the door itself, so you can see if the driver returns to the van with the package.
FAQs
Can I call the police if an Evri driver steals my parcel?
Yes, theft is a criminal offense. However, the police will likely give you a crime reference number and tell you to resolve the refund with the retailer. You need this reference number to force the retailer to act.
Who pays for a stolen parcel, Evri or the seller?
The seller (retailer) must refund you. The retailer will then claim the money back from Evri through their own business insurance.
Does Evri investigate missing parcels?
They do, but their investigation is internal. As a customer, you often get generic responses. It is far faster to pressure the retailer, who has a direct business account manager at Evri.
What evidence do I need for a claim?
CCTV is best. If you don’t have video, you need a statement confirming you were home, a crime reference number, and a critique of the “Proof of Delivery” photo (e.g., “The photo shows the parcel in public view, which is not a safe place”).
How do I report a driver to Evri directly?
You can use the “Support” section on the Evri app or website, but it is notoriously difficult to speak to a human. Twitter/X is often more effective for getting a response from their social media team.
What is the Consumer Rights Act regarding delivery?
The Act states that goods are at the retailer’s risk until they come into the physical possession of the consumer or a person identified by the consumer to take possession of the goods.
Is this happening everywhere or just Liverpool?
While the Evri driver sacked in Liverpool is the current headline, reports of “delivery theft” or “porch piracy” are rising across the UK, particularly in major hubs like Manchester, Birmingham, and London.
Summary
The footage from Netherton is shocking, but it serves as a valuable lesson for UK shoppers. The Evri driver sacked in Liverpool may be gone, but the pressures of the gig economy mean the risk remains.
Don’t rely on luck this Christmas. Rely on the law.
Remember: Your contract is with the retailer. If your parcel vanishes, do not waste energy fighting the courier’s automated bots. Use the Consumer Rights Act, secure your refund from the shop, and consider diverting your expensive gifts to a ParcelShop.
Have you had a similar experience with a courier in Merseyside? Check your own delivery photos carefully—they might reveal more than you think.
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