Reports of Evri parcels being dumped, misdelivered or marked “delivered” without arrival are mounting from the South Coast to Aberdeen and Northern Ireland—just as Christmas delivery pressure peaks.
LONDON — December 13, 2025 — As the UK’s Christmas shopping rush hits full speed, courier firm Evri is facing renewed scrutiny after a wave of complaints about parcels allegedly being dumped, delayed, misdelivered or marked as delivered without reaching recipients—with concerns now surfacing in multiple regions at once.
In the past few days alone, MPs on the South Coast have demanded answers, local reports in Scotland have highlighted “chaotic” conditions outside a depot, and Northern Ireland has seen continued frustration linked to operational changes and capacity pressures. Together, the stories paint a picture of a delivery network straining under peak-season demand—at the exact moment households and small businesses can least afford disruption. [1]
South Coast: MPs say parcels are “dumped”, misdelivered, or falsely marked “delivered”
The political pressure is most visible in southern England, where four MPs have publicly criticised Evri’s performance after constituents reported parcels being left in unsafe places, misplaced, or not arriving at all.
A report published on December 12 said Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to Evri CEO Martijn de Lange following numerous complaints from residents—raising concerns about parcels being regularly delayed, misplaced or left insecurely, and citing cases where items were allegedly “dumped” or marked as delivered with no attempt to reach the recipient. [2]
The same report said Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes also wrote to de Lange, highlighting an increase in complaints and describing incidents where parcels were allegedly abandoned “in piles” in random rural locations—warning that small businesses relying on Evri were “bearing the brunt” of customer anger and the cost of replacements. [3]
Further concerns came from Poole MP Neil Duncan‑Jordan, who raised complaints about parcels being left at incorrect addresses or dumped outside homes of vulnerable people, and said some residents received the same “proof of delivery” photograph for multiple deliveries—making it harder to challenge disputed drop-offs. [4]
And Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes described a situation he said had deteriorated so far that residents created a dedicated Facebook group to track down missing parcels and deliver them to the right addresses themselves—suggesting systemic, not isolated, problems in local operations. [5]
“Not an isolated incident”: local reports describe a pattern of abandoned parcels
Separate local reporting earlier in the week described how residents and “good Samaritans” were allegedly finding and reuniting parcels left in the wrong places, amid Evri issuing an apology following concerns about parcels being “dumped” without attempts to deliver. [6]
While delivery complaints spike across the industry during peak periods, the political escalation is significant: MPs rarely name a single courier unless the volume of complaints becomes impossible to ignore. And as Christmas nears, the stakes are higher—late or missing parcels are no longer a minor inconvenience, but can mean lost gifts, disrupted travel plans, and urgent replacement costs.
Scotland: “shock video” reportedly shows parcels strewn outside an Aberdeen depot
In Scotland, a report dated December 11 said a “shock video” had revealed “chaotic” conditions outside an Evri depot in Altens (Aberdeen), with parcels reportedly left strewn across the street. [7]
The allegations echo the same core worry voiced elsewhere: when parcels are left unsecured—whether outside homes, in communal areas, or around depots—the risk of loss, damage, or theft rises sharply, and customers can be left in limbo chasing updates during the busiest retail weeks of the year.
Northern Ireland: pressure and “teething problems” linked to the Mallusk site
Northern Ireland has also seen ongoing attention on delivery performance. While the circumstances differ from the South Coast complaints, the theme is similar: residents reporting delays and a system struggling with capacity and operations.
A local report published in November said Mid Ulster residents were complaining of missing or delayed parcels, and that Evri acknowledged “operational issues” in the area while linking some disruption to “teething problems” at its newer Mallusk site (opened after a reported £1.3m investment). The company said it remained on track to deliver over 900 million parcels this year, with most delivered on time, and that teams were working to clear outstanding parcels. [8]
More recently, an Irish News report on December 11 said Evri disputed union claims that it had consolidated Northern Ireland delivery sites into a “super site” in Mallusk, after the GMB union alleged local units had been closed during autumn in favour of the new warehouse. [9]
Evri’s response: hiring push, infrastructure investment, and a looming TV investigation
Against this backdrop, Evri has been pushing a message of expansion and investment.
On December 12, reporting carried by multiple outlets said Evri launched a recruitment drive for 2,500 new roles across the UK, spanning corporate positions, couriers, depot and hub roles, and jobs connected to the former DHL eCommerce UK operation (expected to become Evri Premium next year). The company linked the hiring spree to rising volumes—reporting a 12% increase to 425 million parcels handled in the half-year to August 30, 2025. [10]
In the same report, CEO Martijn de Lange said couriers are the “backbone” of the business and referenced the company’s “Evri Plus” initiative. It also noted the announcement comes ahead of a BBC Panorama investigation, with claims set to be broadcast on Monday, December 15, 2025. [11]
Separately, Evri has also highlighted its capital investment plans. In a September 29 press statement, the company announced a £36 million investment programme to bolster its network ahead of peak season, including capacity upgrades and a stated record network capacity figure. [12]
Why this matters: Ofcom data suggests delivery issues are widespread—and trust is fragile
Even beyond Evri, Ofcom’s latest research suggests delivery problems are common across the sector. Ofcom said its 2025 research found 68% of parcel recipients had experienced at least one delivery issue in the previous six months, with common issues including delivery delays and parcels being left in inappropriate locations. [13]
But Ofcom’s data also shows why Evri is coming under such intense spotlight right now: customer satisfaction with complaint/contact handling varies sharply by courier. Ofcom’s published findings said Amazon and FedEx ranked highest for customer service satisfaction (57%), while Evri and Yodel were lowest among people who had cause to contact them—Evri at 31%, and with 41% dissatisfaction for contact processes. [14]
Those numbers don’t prove any one customer’s claim. But they help explain why stories about missed parcels can rapidly become reputational crises: when customers can’t get clear answers quickly, frustration spreads—especially on social media—fueling political pressure and headline momentum.
What shoppers can do right now if a parcel is missing or “delivered” but not received
If you’re caught in a missing-parcel situation during the Christmas crunch, consumer experts and official guidance are consistent on one key point: your contract is with the retailer (seller), not the courier.
Citizens Advice notes that if an item wasn’t delivered to the location you agreed, it’s generally the seller’s legal responsibility to sort it out, and you can ask the seller to redeliver or provide a refund depending on the circumstances. It also explains that if you agreed to delivery to an alternative location (for example, a “safe place”), liability can change—so it’s important to check what you agreed to. [15]
Sky News similarly advises that the first step is to contact the retailer, not the delivery firm, and warns that giving specific instructions to leave items in a porch/shed/safe place can affect your rights if the parcel is stolen after being left there. [16]
Practical steps that often help:
- Screenshot tracking updates and save any “proof of delivery” images.
- Check immediate nearby locations (neighbours, bins, porches, shared hallways) quickly—especially if the parcel might have been left insecurely.
- Contact the retailer in writing and request either a redelivery or refund, citing your rights if needed. [17]
- If you hit a wall, ask your bank/card provider about chargeback timelines and options (Sky notes a 120‑day window in some cases). [18]
The bigger picture: delivery pressure, unsecured drop-offs, and rising parcel theft
The timing of this Evri backlash is important. Peak-season parcel volumes mean faster drop-offs, fewer signatures, and more deliveries left outside—conditions that can also increase vulnerability to theft.
A recent UK report highlighted how parcel theft has become a growing concern, especially when packages are left unattended in communal areas or doorways, and noted practical steps like using lockers or secure collection points where possible. [19]
What happens next
With Christmas now days away, the next week will be critical for Evri’s reputation. MPs have already demanded investigations and urgent fixes in affected areas. Northern Ireland remains sensitive amid operational adjustments and the Mallusk site’s ramp-up. And in Scotland, images of disorder around depot handling—if substantiated—could intensify questions about how parcels are stored and moved during peak demand. [20]
Evri’s hiring drive and investment messaging show the company is betting on scale and capacity to meet demand. But the immediate challenge is more basic: convincing customers that parcels will be delivered reliably, securely, and with clear accountability—in the final, unforgiving stretch of the Christmas delivery season. [21]
References
1. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 2. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 3. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 4. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 5. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 6. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 7. www.pressandjournal.co.uk, 8. armaghi.com, 9. www.irishnews.com, 10. www.independent.co.uk, 11. www.independent.co.uk, 12. www.evri.com, 13. www.ofcom.org.uk, 14. www.ofcom.org.uk, 15. www.citizensadvice.org.uk, 16. news.sky.com, 17. www.citizensadvice.org.uk, 18. news.sky.com, 19. www.theguardian.com, 20. www.portsmouth.co.uk, 21. www.independent.co.uk
