DISTRIBUTION warehouses in Warrington will receive extra attention from police this December.

With just a few weeks to go until Christmas, Cheshire Police is launching its annual operation to support delivery drivers and couriers across the festive period.

Officers will be visiting key locations in Warrington and across Cheshire, engaging with delivery drivers to provide reassurance and offering crime prevention advice to help ensure everyone gets their deliveries in time for the festive celebrations.

This year’s operation will launch on Sunday, December 1, and it will run until Tuesday, December 31.

DS Clare Coleman, who is leading the operation, said: “While Santa will be busy on Christmas Eve making his own deliveries, we know many people will 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, which 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 December 1, we will 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.

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

The steps include ensuring your vehicle is in proper operating condition, and if you spot a suspicious vehicle following you, do not exit your vehicle, keep doors locked, keep moving and call the police.

Agree a daily delivery plan with employers or 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 and 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 and 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, and if your vehicle has rear windows, consider darkening them to prevent passers-by from seeing what is inside.

Make sure that no valuables are left on display when leaving your courier van and 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, as if the worst were to occur and your vehicle were to be stolen, a tracker would enable officers to quickly locate it.

DS Coleman added: “Residents can also help us by reporting any suspicious activity. You should also ensure that somebody is 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 always 999 in an emergency, or visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us