Amazon uses police as pick-up points

The police, your parcel delivery service? Washington residents can now pick up their Amazon orders at the police station.

Parcel pirates

Parcel pirates are a real scourge in the United States: an estimated 49 million people have had at least one package stolen last year. American couriers are in the habit of leaving online orders at the door, but increasingly there are hijackers who snatch the delivered packages.

Amazon is now installing more pick-up lockers in public places, in order to counter the problem. And where is it safer than at the police station? The online retailer is testing lockers in or outside police stations for the first time, starting with two police stations in Washington. The idea came from a local police inspector, who saw the number of thefts increasing. If it proves a success, more locations may follow.