Police have launched an investigation into claims of mail theft after two parcels from a city coffee shop went undelivered to their intended customers.
The force says it is carrying out enquiries after the business owner of Blue Bear Coffee Co in Tombland reported two incidents of missing parcel contents.
The incidents occurred within five months of each other and involved hundreds of pounds' worth of coffee beans.
Earlier this month, Bryn Frere-Smith, the owner of the coffee shop, handed over a package filled with 10kgs' worth of coffee beans with a value of £340 to his postman.
The parcel was meant to be delivered to London but two days later, it reappeared back at the shop with the coffee beans missing and in their place was a sample of wood panelling.
A similar incident occurred in April this year when £162 worth of coffee was removed from the box it was meant to be delivered in.
A few days later, the empty box was returned to the coffee shop.
Mr Frere-Smith explained how this month's incident is the "seventh consignment of coffee" that has gone missing since the business opened in 2023.
The former police officer said: "It means thousands of pounds comes off our balance sheets that could have otherwise gone to the protection and equipping of young people who've had a really bad start to life."
Profits from the business are used to support four shelters in the Dominican Republic, which care for children who have experienced trafficking, abuse and sexual exploitation.
Meanwhile, Royal Mail says it is carrying out its own investigation into the missing contents after Mr Frere-Smith lodged a complaint earlier this month.
A spokesman for the firm said: "We take reports of missing or damaged parcel contents seriously. We are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the items raised, including the handling and return of the latest parcel and the information recorded in our tracking systems. We are also in contact with the customer."
Share