With Christmas now less than five weeks away, Cheshire Constabulary is set to launch its annual operation to support delivery drivers and couriers across the festive period.

Operation Delivering will launch on Monday 1 December and run until Wednesday 31 December.

Throughout the operation officers will be visiting key locations across the county and engaging with delivery drivers to provide reassurance and offer crime prevention advice, to help ensure everyone gets their deliveries in time for the festive celebrations.

Detective Superintendent Clare Coleman, who is leading the operation, said: "While Santa will be busy on Christmas Eve making his own deliveries, we know many people give him a helping hand in the run-up to Christmas Day.

"This includes delivery drivers and couriers here in Cheshire, making sure your online gift orders get to you safely.

"This means there are even more delivery drivers out on the roads and sadly, this makes them a potential target for thieves.

"We are committed to doing all we can to prevent this from happening, and as part of our operation launching on 1 December, we'll be visiting key locations across the county and engaging directly with delivery drivers.

"There will also be both marked and unmarked police vehicles patrolling key routes and roads near to distribution centres in Cheshire.

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"As part of our operation, we're also encouraging couriers to take all the necessary steps they can to reduce their chances of becoming a victim."

There are a number of simple steps which delivery drivers can follow to help play their part. These include:

• Ensure your vehicle is in proper operating condition.
• If you spot a suspicious vehicle following you, do not exit the vehicle, keep doors locked, keep moving, and call police.
• Agree a daily delivery plan with employers or, if independent, with a family member, and check with them on a regular basis. If possible, when out delivering consider using alternative routes rather than always going the same way
• Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged.
• If something does not look or feel right, do not make the delivery. Call your employer and explain the circumstances.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that are not well lit. Park under a streetlight if possible.
• Carry a torch to illuminate dark areas and walkways.
• If you feel threatened, activate the panic alarm on your vehicle to draw attention to the situation.
• Always lock your vehicle - even if you are only leaving it for a short period of time. It would take a matter of seconds for a thief to get into your vehicle and make off with something valuable.
• If your vehicle has rear windows, consider darkening them to prevent passers-by from seeing what's inside.
• Make sure that no valuables are left on display when leaving your courier van (for any amount of time), and fully close all the windows.
• Install a 'police follow this van' sticker on your vehicle to make officers aware of who you are.
• if you have a keyless van, consider using a key blocking pouch to prevent other people from accessing your vehicle while you are handing over parcels.
• Consider installing a tracker – if the worst were to occur and your vehicle were to be stolen, a tracker would enable officers to quickly locate it.
• Install additional security features – doors are one of the most vulnerable areas on delivery vans and they can sometimes be forced open, so consider installing a stop lock or a slam lock to help make it harder for criminals to get inside your vehicle.
• If an emergency occurs, remain at the scene only if it is safe. Dial 999 and wait for police to arrive at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Coleman added: "Local residents also have a role to play in helping us by reporting any suspicious activity and ensuring that there is somebody at home when any parcels are delivered.

"By working together, we can all help to reduce the chances of falling victim to thieves and ensure everyone gets their deliveries this Christmas."

You can report anything suspicious to Cheshire Police on 101 or online at here in an emergency always dial 999.