A FATHER from Tonbridge has slammed Royal Mail after £50 cash was stolen from his daughter's birthday card – and she was given six stamps in compensation.

Peter Dommett accused the organisation of "hiding behind its size" by failing to properly investigate the theft, the third his family has been hit by.

A card sent by his father to his 14-year-old daughter Emilie, who goes to Tonbridge Grammar School, arrived ripped open and missing £50 cash.

Cards his Cornwall-based brother sent for Emilie's last two birthdays, both containing cheques, have also vanished.

He said: "I'm sitting here with a book of first class stamps in front of me and Emilie, who only gets a birthday once a year, is significantly worse off.

"Royal Mail says it can't identify any reason why this has occurred – but it's obvious, an envelope has been opened up.

"The actions of some people means children are losing the joys of birthdays."

The father-of-three, who lives in Old Hadlow Road, is managing director of Tonbridge Chambers firm mXm Medical Communications.

He puts the thefts down to the bright colours of birthday cards, which make them easy targets for dishonest postal staff.

He said: "I guess it's because there are fewer things being posted so birthday cards stand out more.

"It's the handwritten card and the better quality envelope.

"What we've learnt is 'more fool you' if you put anything of value into the post. It's terrible for children because they love getting birthday cards with cash in.

"It's not quite the same opening a card and a cheque falling out addressed to dad who has to cash it in for you.

"How big is this problem? How endemic is it? We've tried to trace the route and find out which sorting offices handled the card but Royal Mail don't want to know.

"Everything is geared to not wanting to resolve any sort of issue. My brother is now sending vouchers through email."

A Royal Mail investigation has been launched. A spokesman said: "We are extremely sorry to hear about this. But we strongly advise customers not to send cash in the post, and would always recommend where items of value are posted through the system, customers use our Special Delivery service.

"It allows us to fully track post throughout the system and it covers mail automatically for compensation in the unlikely event that it is lost or damaged."

Have you been hit by postal thefts? Let us know at www.thisiskent.co.uk/tonbridge or email reporters.tonbridge@courier.co.uk