Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department have issued a warning about not leaving packages unattended on porches.

“We refer to them as Porch Pirates,” said Capt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer for the West Valley Patrol Division. “In the age of online shopping, it’s a growing, common trend.”

Detectives cautioned residents to have packages delivered to locations where someone is home or to a vendor’s store for pick up. Residents are cautioned to ask for notification when packages are delivered and to add delivery instructions such as requiring a signature upon delivery.

Most “porch pirating” occurs during the day when residents are away, and the thieves are often involved in identify theft in addition to stealing parcels. For information, visit www.lapdonline.org.