Preventing package theft this holiday season

With the holidays just around the corner, Londoners are grabbing their wallets and shopping online. But with an influx in packages arriving at our front doors, that might also make us a desirable target for porch pirates.
But OPP has some advice to protect you and your packages this holiday season.
According to a press release from West Region OPP, there are a few handy tips to ensure that any porch pirate who targets your home walks away empty handed:
- Request a signature on delivery
- Ship the package to a trusted neighbour or relative who will be home
- Arranged to have packages delivered to your workplace - if your employer allows it
- Track your delivery online so you know when they're slated to arrive and plan to be home when the package is delivered
- Install video cameras and post signage to indicate surveillance is in effect
- Request the package be left out of sight at a rear or side door
- Choose in-store or curbside pickup
In the event packages are stolen from your home, OPP recommend reporting the incident to local police and the company that delivered it.
According to OPP, this allows police to gain valuable information about potential theft trends in your area, and if police know there’s a problem, more resources can be dedicated to problem areas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Defence minister says Canada supports U.S. downing of Chinese balloon
The federal defence Minister says Canada 'unequivocally supports' the United States government's decision to shoot down a high-altitude surveillance balloon that was suspected of spying for China, noting the balloon violated Canadian airspace.

U.S. downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.
Former Israeli PM: Putin promised not to kill Zelenskyy
A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia's war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart.
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
Justice minister open to amending bail laws, OPP commissioner says change 'needed now'
Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti says he is open to amending bail laws, which have come under increased scrutiny following the shooting death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer.
China says it strongly opposes U.S. move to shoot down balloon
China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the United States' use of force to attack its airship.
Poor oral health could affect the brain later in life: early study
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
'It's devastating': Homeless Canadians at risk as Eastern Canada endures extreme cold, advocates say
As the majority of Eastern Canada stays indoors during an extreme cold weather alert, homeless shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand from unhoused people as temperatures continue to drop.
Extreme cold can bring frostbite and hypothermia. Here are the symptoms to watch for
Canadians will continue to bundle up in the country's east this weekend as a recent bout of extreme cold persists in much of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at the signs and symptoms for frostbite and hypothermia to watch for if exposed to extreme cold.