Trailer truck full of mail and parcels hijacked in transit before Christmas

If your Christmas delivery didn’t show, this may be why — an Australia Post truck has been hijacked in a large scale theft in Melbourne.

Australia Post Melbourne Parcel Facility in full swing during what is the biggest parcel delivery week in the organisations 211-year history. Mail Officer Helen Gandolfo sorts packages. Picture: Mark Stewart

An entire trailer truck carrying gifts, mail and parcels has been stolen just days before Christmas in Melbourne.

Australia Post has informed customers their items have been classified as ‘lost in transit’ after a third-party trailer transporting mail was hijacked on December 22.

Customers were not immediately told of the criminal activity that saw parcels destined across the country was stolen.

One New South Wales customer only found out her clothing items were stolen after she got in touch with Australia Post herself to ask why the package was taking longer than expected to arrive.

The theft comes at the peak of the biggest month in the company’s 211-year history, with more than 52 million parcels delivered during December 2020.

Australia Post would not reveal the location of the heist as it was “the subject of a police investigation”.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said she could not provide details of the hijacking unless details were provided on where it took place.

But an Australia Post spokesman said the company was taking the matter “very seriously” and would work closely with police.

“This is unacceptable and very disappointing. We sincerely apologise to anyone impacted, recognising some of the parcels stolen while in transit with a third-party, may have been Christmas gifts,” they said.

“We take the security of our deliveries very seriously, and theft or tampering with mail and parcels is a criminal offence and carries serious penalties.

“The matter is currently the subject of a police investigation which Australia Post is fully co-operating with.

“We have worked through the list of parcels and are assisting impacted customers.”