Protecting Yourself as a Courier Driver

Courier drivers are targeted for both cash and cargo because their work creates predictable, repeated exposure: they stop at multiple locations throughout the day, often carry cash from COD transactions, and must briefly exit their vehicle to complete each delivery. In the April 2026 attack in Point Fortin, a suspect accepted a parcel, then immediately drew a knife, switched off the driver’s vehicle, and used the threat of violence to force the driver to reveal where cash was stored in the console — before also taking the entire rear cargo bin containing 24 additional packages. Unlike a spontaneous street robbery, this attack required no significant planning: the suspect needed only to know a delivery was coming, make contact at the drop point, and exploit the driver’s brief moment of vulnerability between exiting and securing the door. The combination of cash on board and a predictable, announced arrival makes delivery vehicles a known target across T&T.

Steps to follow:

• Never keep cash from COD deliveries in a visible or obvious location such as the dashboard, door pocket, or centre console; use a sealed, non-obvious pouch stored away from the driver’s seat and do not reveal its location to any recipient.
• Before exiting your vehicle at a delivery address, scan the immediate area for anyone waiting nearby who is not the expected recipient; if the situation feels uncertain, stay in your vehicle, call the recipient directly, and ask them to come out to you.
• Keep vehicle doors locked when stationary at a delivery stop — unlock only the door you need, complete the handover, and relock before the next stop.
• Never switch off your ignition at an unfamiliar delivery address; an idling vehicle preserves your ability to drive away immediately if the situation escalates after the suspect accepts the package.
• If confronted by an armed person at a delivery point, comply without resistance — hand over the package and any accessible cash and follow their instructions without arguing; the cargo and cash are recoverable, your safety is not.
• Report all robbery incidents to both the police and your employer immediately, providing the full suspect description, exact delivery address, the time of the robbery, and whether the attack appeared to be pre-planned or spontaneous; repeated incidents on the same route indicate a pattern that justifies a change of vehicle, timing, or delivery sequence.