An alleged parcel thief has been arrested after a huge mound of parcels was reportedly stolen from one of Evri' s delivery depots.
The packages were then spotted fly-tipped in woods.
Enormous sacks full of deliveries were located dumped in the woods in the Luton area of Chatham, Kent.
An outraged local resident encountered the discovery while out walking on Ash Tree Lane on December 4, and the previous week Evri, formerly known as Hermes, apologised to the affected customers and opened an investigation.
Police said that a man was arrested on suspicion of theft, in connection with parcels that disappeared from a depot in Aylesford, Kent.
A police spokesperson said: "I can confirm an investigation into reports of parcels being stolen from a depot in Aylesford is ongoing.
"This was reported to have taken place between November 28 and December 5."
Officers said enquiries were ongoing and the arrested suspect was released on bail until March 2023.
After images of dumped parcels were posted online, disgruntled shoppers took to social media to vent their frustrations.
One resident said: "This could be why my parcel didn't arrive."
Another online shopper added: "I've been waiting for a parcel since November 25. Can't get through to anyone."
An Evri spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we were alerted about a number of parcels that had been dumped at a local fly-tipping location.
"Our local team visited immediately and recovered the items.
"We have contacted the police who are taking the necessary action and we have also launched a full investigation.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to reassure the public that this is a rare incident and will not impact deliveries moving forward."
The courier company only recently opened a huge new distribution depot nearby in Panattoni Park, Aylesford, near Maidstone.
The depot can handle more than 220,000 parcels each day - over double as many as its previous site a few miles away in Quarry Wood.
It can also operate 24/7 if required and comes complete with electric vehicle charging for ParcelShop couriers.
Meanwhile, an "infuriating" video showed delivery company staff throwing parcels around carelessly at a distribution centre.
The Evri employees were slammed for their inconsiderate behaviour, coming at a time when many households across Britain are struggling to purchase Christmas presents for their family and loved ones.
Workers for the delivery firm have been caught on camera nonchalantly throwing packages around at the depot.
A customer who was at the premises in Plymouth, Devon filmed the staff scanning and hurling the packages into a nearby sorting crate, reports Plymouth Live.
In the footage, one staff member can be seen sitting on the ground as they sort through packages and scan them.
Another is standing over them as they grab the packages and toss them over the metal packing case, which is a few metres away from them both.
The workers are then seen making several attempts at throwing the packages, until they finally went into the crate.
Packages that may have contained clothing as they were emblazoned with ASOS labels are seen flying left, right, and centre before landing in the case.
A spokesperson for Evri apologised "to anyone who is concerned" and said the firm would be in touch with the local team to understand what was happening in the video
