Riddle of the missing mail

FEARS are mounting for the safe delivery of Christmas parcels in Oldham after a growing number of complaints over missing mail.

This week the Chronicle has learned that a Royal Mail worker is being investigated after letters were found dumped in Hollinwood.

Ian Thompson, of Montgomery Avenue, was shocked when he discovered the nine letters — some belonging to his neighbour and some for near-by streets, in a waste bin.

He was alerted by a neighbour who had spotted the post while out walking his dog.

Ian said: “I contacted Royal Mail but they didn’t seem particularly surprised. That mail could have been very important.

“Two officers came round and apologised profusely and they told me that they would be setting up an investigation.”

Another investigation into missing mail in postcodes OL2, OL8 and OL9 is still ongoing after a postman was found with over 10,000 opened and unopened letters and parcels at his home.

Affected residents have demanded to know why police are not involved, as they say it is theft.

Royal Mail says it has its own powers of prosecution, but refused to reveal further information.

Richard Jeffreys, from Royton, has only just received a package franked September 12, which was a £37 electrical item he ordered from eBay.

He has complained to Royal Mail and informed the police as he believed it was a theft matter.

“My item was an alarm speech dialler — I need it for my burglar alarm — but most people wouldn’t even know what one was,” he said.

“Where it has been for the last six weeks, I shudder to think.

“We received another letter for an optician’s appointment — but we missed it because it came two weeks late.”

He went on to say that a friend of his living locally, had ordered three DVDs which had never arrived, and he knew of birthday cards containing cash that were never delivered.

A resident from Holden Fold Lane, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I haven’t received any mail for weeks except odd bills, but recently received some mail dated from August — but I am still missing some Christmas presents I bought to send abroad.

“I usually do all of my Christmas shopping online, but I doubt whether they will ever get to me in time — if at all, the way things are going on around here. It’s disgusting.”

Last week, Andrew Burke (46) of Main Street, Failsworth — who had worked for 26 years for Royal Mail — was caught out stealing £500 he took from greetings cards and packages. His stealing spree ended when test mail was put in pillar boxes emptied by him.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail has recently received a small number of items of mail which have been recovered by a customer in Hollinwood.

“We are investigating and will also be redelivering these items as soon as possible.

“We would urge anyone with questions regarding their mail deliveries to contact Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 740 740 who will be able to investigate fully.”