Homeowner's clever revenge on brazen package thieves

Online shopping is a fantastic innovation, but with it, sadly, comes package theft.

"Porch pirates" – people who steal packages from doorsteps or front yards – are on the rise, and thanks to security cameras, there is nowhere for them to hide.

In response to this crime wave, one homeowner has devised a way to ensure no-one runs away with his online purchases.

In a video posted to TikTok from a security camera, several people are seen attempting to steal a man's packages from his doorstep.

READ MORE: Heartbreak as TV presenter announces son's death

The clip, narrated by someone else, reveals the American man's clever tactic for scaring the would-be thieves.

"This guy lives on a busy road and got tired of people stealing his packages all the time," the narrator said.

"He set up a fake package that makes a small explosive sound that scares people who try to steal it."

A montage of people sneaking onto his doorstep was then shown. The fake explosive sound is then triggered every time someone picks up a package.

Watch the video above.

Surprisingly, three different people were filmed from his door camera brazenly attempting to thieve his property.

Every time, the person is spooked by the sound and runs away.

READ MORE: Model once dubbed 'most beautiful girl in the world' returns to spotlight after health scare

The clip has since attracted over 450,000 views and hundreds of comments from impressed TikTok users.

Some people were genuinely shocked at how often passers-by would try and take the package.

"I cannot believe there are so many criminally minded individuals!" one person wrote.

"Did these people's parents ever tell them to not touch what is not theirs!?!? I'd get a dye pack!" another added.

Others shared their own methods for tricking the brazen thieves. "My brother puts dirty diapers in empty Amazon boxes and leaves them on his porch in the sun, they're always gone by the end of the day," one man wrote.

READ MORE: Private investigator reveals one thing she's often asked

"I'd set up a sensor that trips a self recorded message of me pretending to see them," another said.

One commenter said the "glitter bomb" tactic – where the package is set up with spring-loaded box of glitter – is a better way to scare the burglars.

Some people have also used a "porch pirate bag", which is a PCV reinforced nylon bag that is attached to the front door or gate with a lock.

Shoppers are supposed to instruct delivery people to drop the package inside and lock it with a combination.