While it is typical for online shopping to increase as we draw closer to the holiday season, this year that number has grown even more.

Many Albertans are opting to do their shopping online in an effort to avoid holiday crowds in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local RCMP is reminding the public to be on the lookout for "porch pirates."

Corporal Troy Savinkoff with the Cochrane RCMP says it's common to see an increase in parcel thefts at this time of the year.

"We did have a fair amount of packages stolen from front steps last year especially in our rural areas," says Savinkoff. "This year we've already seen that trend starting. So far we've actually seen that trend be a little bit higher in the Town of Cochrane itself. We've had some packages stolen in Sunset and Riversong."

When packages are left unattended for a prolonged period, they make for easy pickings for thieves in the area. Savinkoff says that quite often the delivery vehicles are easy to identify and will be followed to their delivery destination.

Savinkoff says it's best to try and schedule deliveries for a date and time when someone is at home to receive them.

"Quite often when you order these packages you can actually request the date of delivery and you can adjust it to a day in which you're home," says Savinkoff. "Then obviously when the packages are dropped off they will ring the doorbell or knock on the door. Try to be present and try to remove those packages the very moment they get left on your front porch."

In the event that you can't be home to receive your packages, Savinkoff suggests having a friend or neighbour pick it up for you. He says alternatively, you can make arrangements to have packages placed in a concealed area.

"You can have a container on your front steps in which case you could direct delivery drivers to put the item inside that deck box or what have you," says Savinkoff. "That would conceal the parcel to make sure if anyone was driving around they wouldn't see it on the surface."

Having security cameras on your property, as well as signs warning of their presence will also deter thieves.

Savinkoff is encouraging any victims or witnesses of porch theft to report stolen packages to the Cochrane RCMP.