County Durham widow plagued by unwanted takeaway orders

Widow Maureen Reay, 77, has been the target of persistent unwanted food orders to her house in Durham City for over a year.

Police have confirmed that they are investigating the harassment against Ms Reay.

The Durham resident first started getting delivery drivers knocking at her door in February 2023 and thought nothing of it until she received more for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. 

Widow Maureen Reay (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

In the middle of 2023, the issue seemingly stopped after takeaway drivers no longer appeared at her door. 

However, after a six-week absence, it started again and has been constant ever since.

Despite putting up a sign on her door that attempts to explain the situation to takeaway drivers, she still gets persistent attempts by food places in Durham to deliver her a meal. 

This included two separate takeaway deliveries on Saturday (February 17), which saw one takeaway driver knock at her door at around 10pm.

The takeaways delivered to Ms Reayrange from pizzas to Indian cuisine; all of which are sent back to the restaurant that sent them.

The sign that Maureen has had to put out on her door (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

After months of takeaway hell, Ms Reay has now become angered at the constant "bombardment" and has called for an end to the deliveries to her home.

She said: "I'm starting to get agitated with it all - you expect a bang on the door now. You can't relax. You're watching the television and just know that another driver is going to knock at the door.

"It's getting a bit freakish - and there's no explanation as to why it's happening. Night after night, I just hope it stops soon - I'm at the end of my tether.

Maureen at the front door of her house (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

"The takeaways are coming to the house, with someone selecting 'pay at the door' and giving a fake number, and when we complain - the takeaway is made aware and they move on to another takeaway place."

The issue has got to the point that Maureen has been reporting each one to the police, including going to Durham City Police Station over the weekend, where she was then visited by a police officer who reassured her about the incidents.

Another problem for Maureen includes a range of angered delivery drivers who visit the property, only for them to have to leave again, with the pensioner reporting each one of the deliveries to the takeaways and police.

While Maureen is unsure about how and why the takeaways are getting delivered, Maureen's son, Kevin Reay, who lives in Sussex, believes that the persistent nuisance is a 'malicious act' but doesn't understand why his mother is the target. 

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Mr Reay, who served for 30 years as a police officer, 22 of which were as a detective, is concerned it will escalate further in the coming weeks.

He said: "Police seem to believe it's kids messing around - but with 50 takeaways over such a period - I think it's a bit more serious than that. 

"My mum is very angry - and I know the takeaway drivers are the same because they make the journey and are then left out of pocket."

 Durham Police have confirmed that they are investigating the matter and they have warned people about the impact it has on the victim. 

A spokesperson for the police force said: “We are investigating an allegation of harassment following a report of unsolicited food deliveries being made to an address in Durham.

“Harassment, in whatever form it comes, is unacceptable and can cause significant distress to the victim.

"We would urge anyone who has information about this incident or believes they have been a victim of harassment to contact Durham Constabulary on 101”.