THREE bags of dumped letters found by a dog walker in Theydon Bois last month was the work of an opportunist thief, according to Royal Mail.

The three black binliners of post were found by Mrs Jane Lelloitt, on the corner of Baldocks Road and Woodland Way in Theydon Bois on Thursday May 14.

Many of the letters were marked private and confidential and were destined for addresses in Stapleford Tawney.

An investigation by Royal Mail revealed that the post had been snatched by a thief from the back of a delivery van making its daily rounds in Abridge.

They have since been delivered, with a covering letter and an apology to those affected.

A Royal Mail spokesman confirmed that staff would not face disciplinary proceedures over the lapse in security.

He said: "It appears that this post was stolen from a delivery van a few hours before then dumped. Fortunately this is very rare and is usually the work of opportunist thieves."

"We're just glad we were able to deliver the post in the end."

He ruled out the possibility that it was the work of an identity thief, stating, "It's usually someone looking for money being sent through the post."