He didn't deliver – postal worker took 5,000 letters home

SYDNEY - Thousands of letters went undelivered on Sydney's upper north shore because an Australia Post worker hoarded them at his home.

More than 5000 letters were found, most of them unopened, at the 38-year-old man's Wahroonga home, where he lives with his parents, Detective Inspector Peter Yeomans told reporters on Thursday.

The man was employed by Australia Post for six months, about the same length of time residents in the Roseville area started to complain about undelivered mail.

Police do not believe the former postal worker was motivated by theft or fraud.

"At this stage it would appear that he just hadn't delivered the letters. However, inquiries are continuing in relation to the letters that have been opened," Det Insp Yeomans said.

"He delivered a certain amount of letters and once his shift was complete, if he didn't deliver all of the letters, there would be a situation that his job was done for the day."

The contents of the undelivered letters included cheque books, cheques and credit cards.

The 38-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after police were contacted by Australia Post.

"He was put under surveillance by police. He was followed from his workplace and stopped after completing his shift. The vehicle and himself was then searched and a number of letters were located," Det Insp Yeomans said.

The letters would be used as evidence in court before they were returned to Australia Post to be delivered to their rightful owners, he added.

The 38-year-old man, who no longer has a job with Australia Post, has been charged with dishonestly taking and concealing an article in the course of post, obstructing and hindering the carriage of an article by post and driving while suspended.

He is due to appear in Hornsby court on August 12.

- AAP