Postman 'inspires junk opt-outs'

The Mailing Preference Service filters out unwanted letters

A postman who told customers how to stop junk mail has contributed to more than 200,000 people joining opt-out schemes, a consumer group has claimed.

Roger Annies, 45, leafleted homes on his round in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, advising them how to stop junk mail.

He was temporarily suspended by Royal Mail, who said delivery of unsolicited mail helped keep costs down.

Mail watchdog Postwatch said the case led to a rise in requests to the Mailing Preference Service.

Mr Annies delivered home-made leaflets to about 70 homes in Barry in August advising customers how to stop junk mail.

His campaign came to the attention of Royal Mail bosses who suspended him.

They said their "door-to-door" service - the delivery of unsolicited mail - was vital to business.

Direct mailing helps to subsidise the loss Royal Mail makes on social mail and helps to keep the cost of stamps down Royal Mail spokesman

But following a disciplinary hearing he was reinstated.

The Mailing Preference Service said it had seen a big increase in people registering to stop receiving addressed junk mail.

A spokeswoman said: "There has been a huge increase. Since the end of August the figures have gone up by 200,000 in about a month, although they have now returned to a relatively low level."

Consumer watchdog Postwatch said the rise was "without a doubt" a result of the publicity given to Mr Annies' case.

A Postwatch spokesman said that while Mr Annies had leafleted people about a different scheme - the Royal Mail scheme to opt out of unaddressed junk mail - he had highlighted the issue as a whole.

Roger Annies delivered leaflets on how to reduce junk mail deliveries

The spokesman said: "Once someone shines a torch in this area, most people don't differentiate between the different types of junk mail.

"Without a doubt this increase is because of the publicity surrounding Roger Annies."

But he added: "The fact is, junk mail works, otherwise people wouldn't be doing it."

'Improved sales'

Royal Mail did not reveal figures for the number of people who had signed up to its own opt-out scheme.

But a spokesman said it was still the only delivery organisation that allowed people to opt out from receiving unaddressed mail.

He added: "A recent survey commissioned by Royal Mail revealed that direct mail campaigns have improved sales in certain sectors by up to 20%.

"Royal Mail carries less than 25% of the total unaddressed or door-to-door items. Any increase in our market share will come from our competitors and not from an increase in the overall amount of unaddressed mail.

"Direct mailing helps to subsidise the loss Royal Mail makes on social mail and helps to keep the cost of stamps down."

Mr Annies, who is appealing against a decision to remove him from his round, said he did not regret his actions.

He said: "I still think, and have always thought, from a moral point of view I haven't done anything wrong.

"There's a time when you start to doubt yourself, but when so many people come to you and say what a great thing you've done it helps you keep your head up."