Apprentice of the Year Award
Presented by IFA Nick Mawhinney– Tracy Aust WTC – Peter John VC UWL.
Aaron Bennett, dnata, Logistics, national apprentice recognition for next generation in logistics.
Tonight our next generation logistics apprentice is already the winner of a top education award in the Heathrow hot-spot. Recognised as student of the year at West Thames College.
dnata Logistics apprentice takes best student of the year at gala West Thames College awards.
Tonight’s winner recognised as IT solutions technology apprentice at dnata Logistics Heathrow.
The Heathrow, West London hot-spot for logistics recognised its best on the evening of the summer Solstice, during a gala ceremony of education hosted at West Thames College. Logistics candidates took pride in the winning students as the sector took best student of the year. Principal of top logistics college West Thames, Tracy Aust, ‘Our students fulfil their dreams, winners this evening stand out from the crowd. Well done to the logistics cohort, you should be very proud.'
Top slot for student of the year then went to dnata Logistics IT solutions tech apprentice Aaron Bennett who received the best of best student of the year from college Principal Tracy Aust. Minster, Mayor and Chair of the Logistics Skills Alliance LSA were alongside to congratulate Aaron for his big logistics win. Then-Shadow Skills minister Seema Malhotra MP & Mayor Carol Smith offered passionate congratulations for a win in the Heathrow geographic for logistics. Carl Lomas as LSA chair congratulated Aaron on steps into a career stairway for IT solutions in logistics sector.
West Thames College faculty head for logistics, Beverley McGuire explained, Aaron was ready to learn from the very start of the course, he did everything asked of him, he is a credit to the college, he stands out from the crowd and should do well in logistics.
dnata Logistics apprentice takes student of the year at gala West Thames College awards.
Aaron Bennett, logistics apprentice celebrates with Minister, Mayor and Principal at summer Solstice Gala West Thames college, as he was awarded student of the year by West Thames College.
dnata is a global air and travel services provider. Established in 1959, the company offers quality and safe ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in over 30 countries across six continents. In the financial year 2023-24, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 778,000 aircraft turns and moved over 2.9 million tonnes of cargo.
David Jamieson Road Safety Award
Whistl National Driver Training Team, Bolton
Presented by TC Sarah Bell & DVSA Bob Hannigan
A fantastic team of well-trained, passionate individuals who are dedicated to improving the safety of their drivers and other road users. In the past 12 months this Driver Training team has implemented changes to ensure that all the brand’s drivers are highly trained. Changes included making a significant difference, integral to creating a Road Safety Culture at the brand. As a result, this team have formed a cohesive and proactive contribution toward a 50% reduction in the incident rate compared to 2023.
Implementing a DRIVER TRAINING Toolbox with a strongly engaged Talks Procedure. Introduction of a new vehicle familiarisation process. A refresher training guide, a telematics procedure, a driver intervention process, a fitness to drive test, conducting over 1000 supervisory checks including gate checks, pre-use checks, couple–uncouple, and seatbelt inspections.
David Jamieson Road Safety award to Whistl Road Safety team.
Nominated By: Graeme Snowball - National Transport Training Manager
In the past 12 months this Driver Training team has implemented changes to ensure that all drivers are highly trained and professional. These changes are making a significant difference and are integral to creating a Road Safety Culture at the Whistl.
The Driver Training team is responsible for creating and implementing policies, procedures, and training documents to deliver a consistent message to the drivers. As a result, we have formed a cohesive and proactive team that has contributed to a 50% reduction in the incident rate compared to 2023.
This is a fantastic team of well-trained, passionate individuals who are dedicated to improving the safety of our drivers and other road users.
Here are some of the policies and procedures put in place by the Driver Training team:
Implementing the WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 002 Toolbox Talks Procedure has revolutionised the way Toolbox Talks are conducted, with every driver now receiving a TBT once a month in a face-to-face capacity. The team have delivered a staggering 4050 Toolbox Talks training sessions from January to August 31st.
WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 001 Vehicle Familiarisation Policy ensures every driver is trained on all vehicles within of their license scope.
The introduction of the WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 005 Refresher Training guide and WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 005A Driver Standards has ensured consistent standards across all Whistl depots. The team have carried out 266 on-road refresher training sessions and assessments.
WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 009 Telematics Procedure now maximises the use of telematics with specific guidance on "Non-Conformance." Furthermore, a Telematics Training Plan has been established for drivers with lower telematics scores.
We have introduced a Driver Intervention process WHISTL DRIVER TRAINING 019, triggered by a driver involved in a Serious incident, ensuring that drivers receive a minimum of 3 training sessions within 6 weeks to meet all standards.
A Fitness to Drive declaration is now conducted every 6 months, aligning with eyesight checks, thereby prioritising road safety.
Conducting over 1000 supervisory checks such as gate checks, pre-use checks, couple–uncouple, and seatbelt inspections.
Training 608 drivers for their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).
There have been many more processes and procedures introduced in the last 12 months.
The Whistl Driver Trainers have enthusiastically implemented all requested changes, including updating safety procedures and regulations, as well as the modernisation of training records and documents. Their steadfast dedication to prioritising Road Safety within their training programs is clear and commendable.
Driver Training Team: Steve Gelling, Lucille Hay, Richard Hindley, Jason Langford, Alan Turney. Nominated By: Graeme Snowball, National Transport Training Manager
Eco-decarbonisation Award
A double win from road side bio-diversity excellence to a Bedfordshire carbon give-back to school engagement nature sensory space.
TfL - Bio-Diversity excellence at the roadside by TfL
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
Stop cutting the grass. A full step-change approach to bio-diversity clean air at the road side, A body looking beyond emissions, with latest wildflower push for the roadside. Wildflower verges have doubled to the equivalent of 37 football pitches across the London Road network with plans to expand in future years. It’s cleaner air for drivers.
Wildflower verges encourage biodiversity helps wildflowers thrive, leading to greater amounts of carbon being stored in the soil, as well as supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This is a different approach, a programme from regional govt. to Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan, it sets out how London's strategic transport authority will seek to respond to the ecological crisis at our roadsides.
Bringing biodiversity clean air to our roadsides. More than 260, thousand sq. metres in 2024.
Charles Snade & Isaac Little TfL.
TfL Clean air at the London roadside – delivering Bio diversity
TfL delivers pledge of doubling wildflower verges in roadside areas to encourage more biodiversity to thrive in London.
National Courier award recognition for London. TFL clean air with ULEZ has stepped beyond emissions with latest wildflower push for the roadside. Wildflower verges have doubled to the equivalent of 37 football pitches across the TfL’s Road network with plans to expand in future years. TFL headline, Wildflower verges encourage biodiversity and helps wildflowers thrive, leading to greater amounts of carbon being stored in the soil, as well as supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The programme is a key part of TfL's Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan, which sets out how London's strategic transport authority will seek to respond to the ecological crisis.
Transport for London (TfL) pledged last year to increase biodiversity, mitigate climate change and become more sustainable in its operations by increasing the amount of wildflower verges on roadsides of TfL’s network and has doubled the area managed in this way to more than 260,000m2 in 2024. The sites are managed to promote biodiversity by reducing mowing frequency to allow wildflowers to grow, TfL continue to regularly mow the edges to keep London’s streets looking well maintained. TfL now has wildflower verges across its network including Gants Hill roundabout in Redbridge, Clockhouse roundabout in Feltham and the A21 Sevenoaks Road (Green Street Green) in Bromley. The flowers create a supply of nectar and other food resources, plus shelter, for wildlife including bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals. Wildflower verges bring additional benefits for London’s biodiversity, including the transfer of carbon dioxide from the air into the soil and reduced carbon emissions from mowing. The new verges mean that there are now the equivalent of 37 football pitches of wildflower verges across the TfL road network. The introduction of new wildflower verges formed a key part of TfL's commitment to enhance biodiversity across its estate. TfL’s Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan, published in March 2024, set out how TfL will protect, connect and enhance its green infrastructure and biodiversity and how it will work with other organisations to tackle this vital issue both now as well as part of longer-term planning.
Lilli Matson, Chief Safety Health and Environment Officer at TfL, said: ”We are excited to expand biodiversity in London, making the capital greener and healthier. The new wildflower verges will encourage biodiversity and make London a more liveable and nature-rich city. We will continue to work with our partners to improve our network and reduce impacts of climate change."
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “I am delighted that TfL have now delivered the equivalent of 37 football pitches of wildflower verges across London’s road network.
“Protecting and encouraging biodiversity is essential to increasing sustainability and mitigating climate change, as we continue working together for a greener, fairer London for everyone.”
TfL has also recently completed work on Tolworth Roundabout, a scheme to help mitigate the impacts of climate change by creating over 6,000 sqm of Sustainable drainable systems (SuDS). TfL's rapid expansion of SuDS across London has resulted in exceeding TfL’s green scorecard annual target of 5,000 sqm of SuDS each financial year. With the risk of flooding in London increasing year on year, London’s existing network of sewers and drains is at capacity in many areas and the issue is exacerbated by a rapidly increasing population. TfL’s work to create more SuDS in the capital, reduces the risk of flooding and improves London’s river water quality.
HBC Carbon Neutral payback to regional school projects
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
Regional same day courier company in Bedfordshire achieves carbon offset and pays back to local schools, with initiatives ranging from beehives and honey to a unique foresting pond project with sensory butterfly spaces.
Responsible sameday activities inspiring next generation local children. This company’s carbon offset went carbon neutral two years in a row, generating a surplus that the brand chose to plough back into local education.
Recipients included Sutton V.A. Lower School based in Bedfordshire, Head teacher, Mrs Chapman, commented; “We are incredibly grateful for their support, encouragement and generosity towards this Butterfly Garden Project.
HBC deliver carbon neutral success in payback to local education school projects.
HBC regional sameday courier company in Bedfordshire achieves Carbon offset and pays back to local schools, with initiatives ranging from beehives and honey to a unique foresting pond project, inspiring next generation local children by responsible sameday activities.
Regional Courier Company in Bedfordshire has achieved CARBON-NEUTRAL Two Years running. In September 2022, their Logistics offset supported by deliveries from the clients partnered up with one of the leading carbon-offset initiatives, Carbon Neutral Britain to completely offset their carbon footprint.
A Bedfordshire regional sameday courier company went green, giving back via eco school projects.
Thanks to the partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain, HBC have been able to invest in their worldwide sustainability projects with two local Bedfordshire schools. Delivering school green projects including bee and beehives that even provide honey to the school canteen. And a second project greening pond and wild flower areas to the hands of the children foresting experience.
HBC Carbon neutral benefits delivered to Sutton V.A. Lower School is based in Bedfordshire, Head teacher, Mrs Chapman, commented; “We are incredibly grateful to HBC for their support, encouragement and generosity towards this Butterfly Garden Project. Where school budgets are tight, this grant will be hugely impactful in the creation of an outdoor space where pupils can enjoy and explore nature, a space that allows pupils and the school community to simply be, surrounded with carefully chosen plants and placed objects to encourages reflection, spirituality and promote positive wellbeing.”
Headteacher, Lucy Chapman, who introduced HBC to Dilara and Victoria showed HBC director Ben Weldon two areas of the school – the Woodland Sensory Garden and Butterfly Gravel Garden. Both of these areas were designed to provide students with space dedicated to improving wildlife and educating them on nature and its significance. However, both areas need major “sprucing up” to streamline growth and enhance the student’s hands-on education for the better… Which is where HBC Logistics come in. HBC through its partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain detailed an audit that CNB used to determine a calculated footprint and cost for offset. This delivered HBC helping Sutton V.A. Lower School with fixing up their gardens which will be used as a space to educate and embrace wildlife.
The next project was with Henlow Academy via headteacher Mrs Caren Earp, supporting her team with fast-forwarding their desire to have their own Beehive Sanctuary on site. HBC supplied three beehives, the colonies and appropriate equipment to maintain these bees. The bees have become an educational opportunity to learn through a hands-on experience as well as the additional bonus of honey for the cafeteria and food-tech classes.
Collaboration Award
Guide Dog special final mile deliveries - DPD helps guide dog Amelia make friends with delivery robot
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
Getting Guide Dogs ready for final mile delivery robots
Express logistics in collaboration with guide dogs
Six year old Labrador Amelia was guiding owner David Holmes when she spied the local delivery robot coming towards them. Spooked by the unusual machine, this led to a collaboration training project with a national express logistics brand.
David posted about the experience on Facebook and a staff member at the express depot saw it and offered to help. A collaboration for Guide dog training with delivery robots has followed.
A guide dog from Raunds has made friends with a DPD delivery robot that spooked her when out walking with her owner, thanks to a little help from the local DPD depot team. Six year old Labrador Amelia was guiding owner David Holmes when she spied Levi, the local DPD delivery robot coming towards them.
David picks up the story, "We were just waiting to cross a road when Amelia started to behave oddly and barking. I could hear a noise behind me like a buggy, but it was only when I got home and my wife, Eileen asked if I had seen the delivery robot, that I worked out what had happened. It was the first time Amelia had seen one and obviously didn't know what to make of it."
Gareth Chisholm commented, "I think it is fair to say, their first meeting wasn't love at first sight. Amelia is such a lovely, gentle dog, so after talking to David and understanding more about how they work together, we set up a getting-to-know-you session at the depot. After a number of familiarisation exercises we were able to simulate the different situations in which Amelia might meet the robot. There were a good few treats involved, but before too long, they were walking side by side like the best of friends." David continued, "I'm really grateful to Gareth and the team for their response. The original Facebook post was just something light-hearted to share. But it is great that they got in touch and invited us to the depot. She is an amazing dog, and she is trained to deal with so many different situations, but there is always something new."
DPD first introduced the autonomous robots in Milton Keynes in July 2022 and a year later confirmed plans to expand robot deliveries to 10 UK towns and cities. Based at DPD's depot at Warth Park on the western edge of Raunds, the robots deliver to nearby residential areas within a mile of the depot, via the existing network of footpaths. DPD parcel recipients in Raunds are notified of a robot delivery in advance, and once they confirm that they are at home to accept the parcel, the robot is dispatched. Customers can then track the robot's progress on a map and are notified when it reaches their property.
Robot deliveries are a key part of DPD's journey towards being net zero by 2040, helping achieve the aim of becoming the UK's most sustainable delivery company.
DPD is a member of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce. Part of the La Poste Groupe, Geopost generated a €15.6 billion revenue and delivered 2.1 billion parcels worldwide in 2022. The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles in the UK from 84 locations and delivers over 400 million parcels a year. In 2018, DPD opened the UK's first all-electric parcel delivery depot in Westminster. DPD currently has over 3,600 EVs in the UK and delivers to 30 of the largest towns and cities in the UK with zero and low-emission final mile delivery vehicles.
Viking & DX collaboration in final mile green supply chain
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
This brand using collaboration to redefine the approach to customer service. Cross-functional teams joined forces to drive operational efficiency, and team engagement throughout 2024. From systems to branded trailers. An integrated courier retail brand.
The retailer and courier company defined the primary objectives of partnership as: Enhance Customer Experience, Improve Operational Efficiency, Promote Success and Celebrate ‘first time every time’ success at the door. Generating a 98.8% first time delivery success.
Dominic Cooper, Bryan Duncan, Jon Waite, Natalie McEwan
Viking & DX collaboration in final mile green supply chain
Work Location Leicester
Usual Working Hours8am - 6pm
Award Submission: Viking Direct DX Collaboration Overview Viking Direct and DX are proud to celebrate our transformative collaboration, which has redefined our approach to customer service, operational efficiency, and team engagement throughout 2024. Project Goals
The primary objectives of our partnership were to: Enhance Customer Experience Improve Operational Efficiency Promote Success and Celebrate our Teams
Key Achievements
1. Customer-Centric Innovations We have significantly improved our customer journey through enhanced track and traceability, reporting, and communication. This has led to a more reliable delivery service that fulfils our customer promise. Feedback indicates a 32% increase in customer satisfaction, highlighting our commitment to meeting their needs.
2. Operational Excellence Integrating DX’s advanced logistics capabilities has resulted in a 98.8% First Time Delivery success rate. This efficiency has improved service turnaround and recovery for failed deliveries.
Collaboration Highlights
Cross-Functional Teams: Our teams have cultivated a culture of innovation. Weekly workshops with depots across the DX network focus on identifying areas for improvement in the customer claims process. This open forum addresses root causes, leading to a 42% reduction in credits issued to customers.
Regular Feedback Loops: Daily and weekly touchpoints allow us to adapt our strategies in real time based on customer and operational feedback. We continuously trial innovative solutions, such as custom-made sacks for freight transport, which reduce cardboard usage and improve trailer fill.
Joint Marketing Initiatives: We launched successful marketing campaigns, including 12 joint liveried trailers and coordinated social media posts, enhancing brand awareness and engagement nationwide. Promoting Success and Celebrating
Our People Our people are the foundation of our success. To strengthen our relationship, we have DX team members operating onsite in Leicester, recognized as part of the Viking team. We also introduced a "Depot of the Month" award, celebrating teams that achieve exceptional service or compliance metrics with a trophy and lunch vouchers provided by Viking.
Conclusion The Viking Direct DX collaboration exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in driving innovation and excellence. Our achievements in customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and team engagement set new industry standards and create a blueprint for future collaborations. We are proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing this journey together.
Team Award
FedEx Basildon Community Support to Fire Service during trading estate fire chaos
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
During Friday fire chaos on an Essex trading estate this team stepped forward to support their neighbours and the Essex Fire Brigade. A neighbours warehouse was ablaze, all power to the estate was lost.
Watching this fire to their neighbours building unfold the team noticed the initial responders were in deep peril. Without prompting they gathered all the commercial water bottles they could find and quickly moved to the area. Fire fighters used the water to douse and cleanse the faces and upper bodies of the injured first responders who had been overcome by the fire and its fumes.
The fire was now violently taking hold and had claimed two more neighbouring businesses that were to burn to the ground within hours.
The team then opened up their own building to allow all of the emergency services to use toilets. washrooms as well as the canteen for their respite, offering what they could until the Salvation Army arrived with a mobile facility.
On Sunday the depot resumed at 07:00 using gen set electricity they worked non-stop until the early evening at which point they could report a BAU state to FedEx.
An outstanding team effort by FedEx Basildon to the wider community in distress.
During Friday fire chaos on their trading estate at a neighbours warehouse all power was soon lost to the trading estate, the initial fire response team were arriving on site to the unfolding chaos. FedEx night employees watching this fire to their neighbours building unfold noticed the initial responders were in deep peril and without prompting gathered all the commercial water bottles they could find and quickly moved to the area where other fire fighters used the water to douse and cleanse the faces and upper bodies of the injured first responders who had been overcome by the fire and its fumes.
The fire was now violently taking hold and had claimed two neighbouring businesses that were to burn to the ground within hours.
FedEx then opened up their own building to allow all of the emergency services to use toilets and washrooms as well as the canteen for their respite, offering what they could until the Salvation Army arrived with a mobile canteen.
On Sunday the depot resumed at 07:00 and using gen set electricity worked non-stop until the early evening at which point they could report a BAU state to FedEx.
An outstanding team effort by FedEx Basildon to the wider community in distress
The detail
At about 01.00 hours on Saturday 14th September 2024 a large fire took hold within a waste recycling business on the Hovefield Industrial Estate in Basildon, Essex where FedEx own a large operating centre for their Essex distribution business. With a night operation run by 23 souls they suddenly faced a major incident that not only threatened the survival of two neighbouring business, but should the wind change direction may well have threatened the night employees in the FedEx building.
As the fire rapidly took a turn for the worse the emergency services put a cordon in place that diverted all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the surrounding area at which point FedEx were faced with 10 of their 13 inbound trailers diverted to a FedEx Hub in Kent.
All power was soon lost to the trading estate, the initial fire response team were arriving on site to the unfolding chaos. FedEx night employees watching this fire to their neighbours building unfold noticed the initial responders were in deep peril and without prompting gathered all the commercial water bottles they could find and quickly moved to the area where other fire fighters used the water to douse and cleanse the faces and upper bodies of the injured first responders who had been overcome by the fire and its fumes.
FedEx then opened up our building to allow all of the emergency services to use toilets and washrooms as well as the canteen for their respite, offering what they could until the Salvation Army arrived with a mobile canteen.
It took until 07:00 for our employees to be allowed safely off site and by this time the station manager, who had been held at an outer cordon since 04:00 was finally allowed into the FedEx building. It was then he was confronted with not only a power loss but a faulty generator and non-functioning freight conveyor belt that had gone down just prior to the fire along with an expectation of a Saturday operation and about 10,000 items of freight that customers were expecting on Monday for delivery.
Mindful of the earlier hour he telephoned a few key members of his management team who were able to rally 3 Class 1 drivers and 3 seasoned handlers who committed to report for work within a few hours. With now a glimmer of hope he got the generator to function and called out contractors to repair the belt by which time plans were already underway to retrieve by the afternoon 8 of the 10 outstanding trailers from Kent along with arranging receipt of the other 2 trailers held further away. By midday Saturday a full recovery operation was underway to aim for a BAU state by Sunday evening, a tall order with limited staff available.
The fire was now violently taking hold and had claimed two neighbouring businesses that were to burn to the ground within hours however the fire service had constant communication with the station manager, and they agreed a plan to allow access and a safe passage for all of our vehicles recognising the need for FedEx to trade and to fulfil their commercial obligation and with joint co-operation this was safely achieved with little fuss.
By 14:00 hours trailers were arriving, and a controlled tip began with our 6 employees and a team of 8 contractors who work on behalf of FedEx overseen by the station manager who had to balance safety alongside the need to recover a huge operation within 24 hours using minimal resource and being careful not to frustrate any compliance that might frustrate driving hours the following week. The work continued into the early evening.
On Sunday the depot resumed at 07:00 and worked non-stop until the early evening at which point they could report a BAU state to FedEx. The same team supported both days and we continued to share our facilities with the fire and police staff who were working this major incident and it really demonstrated what could be achieved with a willing team, sound judgement, great corroboration with outside services that allowed the operation to commence Monday morning as if nothing had happened!
Southampton based team of mums’ team work to deliver over 7,200 Mother’s Day flowers
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
A team of six mothers blossom in a Southampton service centre that pulled out all the stops to deliver record number of flowers for Mother’s Day. The mums team effort deliver over 7,200 bouquets to fellow mums across the area breaking the record for their geographic.
With a collective 46 years of service between them, the team work in a range of roles across the centre, supporting every stage of the delivery journey.
It was a family affair, team members drew on wider family connections within the brand , one, mum, with daughter and husband as inbound sorters, whilst another of the mum’s oldest son and daughter also work at the brand.
A team of Mums making a record Mother’s Day flower delivery.
Sam Stone, Sarah Cadet, Kate Hann, Hayley Hunt, Heather Smith, and Ionela Borea
The Yodel Mothers deliver Mother’s Day record
Sarah Cadet, Team Manager at Yodel Southampton, commented: “Working with so many other mums, especially when they have children based in the business, is an amazing experience. We all recognise the challenges and joys of parenthood and are able to really be there for each other as a team. Being able to witness their successes and career progression makes it all worthwhile. It’s a privilege to deliver so many bouquets to local mums for Mother’s Day and play a part in brightening up their day.”
Mark O’Sullivan, Chief Operations Officer at Yodel, commented: “Mother’s Day is a time for people up and down the country to celebrate all the incredible women who act as mother figures in their lives and we’re proud and honoured to play a key role in their celebrations by delivering flowers. “This is a big moment in the calendar year for us as a business and the whole team has stepped up to make sure gifts are handled correctly and delivered on time. Having groups of mothers working together adds a really personal touch to the work we do, as they understand that special moment when receiving flowers on Mother’s Day and are able to do their part to share in the celebrations.”
A team of six mothers at Yodel’s Southampton service centre have had a busy run up to Mother’s Day as the parcel carrier Yodel deliver over 162,000 bouquets across the country. Based in Southampton, Sam Stone, Sarah Cadet, Kate Hann, Hayley Hunt, Heather Smith, and Ionela Borea are part of the effort to deliver over 7,200 bouquets to mums across the area. With a collective 46 years of service between them, the team work in a range of roles across the centre, supporting every stage of the delivery journey, from inbound sorting to team management, couriers and customer service support. Several team members have wider family connections within Yodel – Sam’s daughter and husband work at Yodel as inbound sorters, whilst Sarah’s oldest son and Hayley’s daughter also work at Yodel – making the company a real family affair. The team will be working together over the Mother’s Day period, as Yodel has another busy year for flower deliveries. Yodel currently delivers flowers for major retailers including Appleyard London, Blossoming Gifts and E-Florist.
Step Change Award
SOS Link SOS Code 42 Mail & Parcel theft – Met Police
Presented by VP Sir John Hayes – IOC President Lord Patrick McLoughlin
Crime has been building in our sector; attacks on van drivers to obtain goods is a growing issue. Targeting tracking data to identify route locations and bringing organised criminality to theft of express delivery goods is rising.
Tonight we shine a spotlight on the sector for your actions in reporting this crime, we shine a spotlight on SOS Link. Code 42 is an evolutionary step for the reporting of theft of mail and parcels. To a priority project, via the Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency.
SOS Link, make it 999, it’s a step change for express sector to form a true picture of parcel theft’
Step change for our sector recognises a new route to report mail and parcel theft.
Evolving from code 42, SOS Link is a focus project.
City of London Police Superintendent, officer for National Business Crime, Patrick Holdaway.
National Courier Award nomination for mail or parcel theft from a vehicle: you should report it on code 42. Project SOS Link brings step change and moves this up a gear, call 999, make it priority and say SOS Link to deliver your code 42 as a priority report for theft of mail and parcel.
Before the summer of 2021, data on theft of parcels from a vehicle was recorded under motor-vehicle numbers, it was almost impossible to separate the data and identify the true scale of parcel theft in express courier sector. The sector was struggling to target resources on data that does not exist. In a step change, mail and parcels moved into their own reporting theft category. Code 42 was born. The world was set to get a true picture of courier theft for the first time. Today, courier express businesses should report code 42 and proceed as they currently do, the police call taker will identify the right crime to record it against i.e. a theft of mail and parcel rather than a theft from motor vehicle. Make the reporting job easy, begin with code 42 and be sure to talk mail and parcel theft to get your incident recorded properly.
Superintendent Patrick Holdaway was instrumental in this work with the IOC security group to bring code 42 into existence, he comments, 'I'm pleased that we have been able to secure an amendment to the crime counting rules, which reflects the importance of the courier sector. Crime should always be reported to the police as it helps us understand the true extent of the problem, which in turn helps us develop the appropriate response to target offenders and protect businesses’ IOC security group, in 2021, welcomed the news for the sector. ‘This is a significant change by the government in the way theft of parcels is recorded nationally and will allow Law Enforcement and the industry to finally demonstrate the scale of the problem which will lead to a better investigatory response from Police and the industry implementing target hardening measures appropriate to the risk.’ Andy Magromallis, ‘"With anything, it is critical to understand the size and scale of the issue, the hot spots and areas of focus. The ability for the crime to be recorded under the correct Home Office code will assist hugely in the industry working towards minimising and mitigating crime, both towards our organisations and our people."
Example 1: A motorcycle courier is pushed from his motor bike and threatened with a knife whilst the parcels in the pannier are stolen. One crime of robbery (class 34A)
Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime With effect from April 2021
42 Theft of mailbag or postal packet. (V) Theft Act 1968 Sec 1(pt). Clarification - Recorded Crime: Theft of Mail - This section should be used for all thefts of letters or parcels which are in the process of being delivered by way of a business; that is from the time they leave the originator to the time they reach the recipient address. With the end of the Post Office monopoly, it now includes all carriers such as DHL, UPS and Fed Ex. Parcels and packages for this purpose are those that are delivered through the Royal mail postal service or could be but the sender has opted to use an alternative carrier service. This includes all carriers such as, but not limited to, DHL, UPS, Hermes, DPD etc. All thefts of such letters or packages from the delivery vehicle are to be recorded under this classification and not as a theft from a vehicle.
Definition - Legal: Theft - Theft Act 1968 Sec 1(1) - "A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; …". The terms in this basic definition are amplified in Sections 2-6 of the Theft Act. General Rule: One crime for each incident of theft of mail bags or postal packets.
Example 1: Postal packets in transit are stolen from a Post Office van by a non-employee of the Post Office. One crime (class 42).
Example 2: Postal packets in transit are stolen from a DHL van by a non-employee of DHL. One crime (class 42).
Example 3: As above, but the missing mail is initially reported to the force covering the destination area of the van, which is different from the location of the theft. One crime (class 42), to be recorded by the force covering the location of the theft.
Example 4: UPS have delivered a parcel for the manager of a service station. The cashier has signed for it and left it on the counter. A customer, paying for petrol has stolen it from the counter. One crime (class 49 other theft). The parcel has been delivered. It is not in the process of being delivered.
If there is evidence at the time of recording that the bags or packets have been stolen by an employee of the mail company, classify as theft by an employee (class 41).
Example 1: Postal packets in transit are stolen by a Post Office employee. One crime of theft by an employee (class 41).
If there is evidence of an employee of a postal operator interfering with the mail then an offence under class (99/81) interfering with the mail: postal operators Postal Services Act 2000 sec 83 should be considered. If the circumstances of the taking amount to a robbery then the crime should be recorded as a robbery (class 34A).
Example 1: A motorcycle courier is pushed from his motor bike and threatened with a knife whilst the parcels in the pannier are stolen. One crime of robbery (class 34A)
