A spate of thefts targeting the bright red post boxes that have been a feature of Britain’s street corners since the 19th century have forced the postal service to fight back — with an arsenal of hi-tech tools.

Royal Mail has unveiled plans to use forensic tagging to identify stolen post boxes and even electronic tracking to keep a close watch on these reassuringly iconic landmarks of winding lanes and village greens.

The company has warned of “a significant threat” to the boxes — particularly in “isolated rural localities” — and is teaming up with the public body Historic England to protect the 115,500-strong network.