Royal Mail bosses have revealed they have stepped up security after two postmen from Basildon were jailed for dumping mail and going home early.

Brothers Clark and Richard Manning, of Laindon Hills, Basildon, did not deliver tens of thousands of letters because they claimed they wanted to get home and care for their sick mother.

Clark Manning was given four months in prison and his brother received two months. Both had half their sentences suspended meaning they will serve half of their terms.

Royal Mail has reacted to the embarrassing incident by tightening up security.

Val Goodchild, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said: "We have stepped up our own procedures for reports on non-delivery of mail.

"For security reasons we cannot say what action we have taken in the wake of this incident.

"We want to make sure we can monitor any instances of non delivery. In this case it appeared non delivery was relatively short term.

"We need to be clear - this is a very, very rare occurrence when compared to the 80 million letters delivered by Royal Mail.

"This is a matter of concern because people's mail has gone missing but we held an immediate investigation once this was

reported.

"We have contacted the majority of customers who have been affected but if anyone has any concerns they can contact us to discuss mail they think has not been delivered."

The two brothers were suspended while an inquiry was carried out. Both eventually found other jobs.

Clark Manning was spotted by a tip worker in Basildon dumping thousands of letters from mail bags and his van was later found in an underground car park containing thousands of undelivered letters. His brother was also involved in deliberately dumping mail.

Mrs Goodchild said: "Our people are in a position of trust and we expect them to maintain that trust.

Anyone who did not receive mail in May this year should contact Royal Mail's customer services on 0845 740740.

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