Working together to tackle freight crime

Freight crime continues to spiral as a serious and increasingly complex challenge facing our industry. Highly organised criminal gangs are systematically targeting lorries across the country. In the process, they’re destroying businesses, impacting the health, safety and wellbeing of our drivers and they’re making it difficult for businesses to recruit and retain staff.

The financial impact is staggering. Since 2020, freight crime losses have topped £1 billion, with this trend growing. Over the last twelve months, the value of stolen goods from HGVs has jumped by almost two-thirds to £111.5 million – a clear indicator that this problem needs urgent attention from policymakers.

As we approach the Government's spending review, the RHA is pushing for decisive intervention. We need urgent support to tackle the issue that includes strengthening resources for the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service – the only specialist police unit in the UK dedicated to specifically combating freight crime. Without proper support, this vitally important service cannot effectively tackle what are becoming more sophisticated criminal networks.

We're also calling for the introduction of a dedicated freight crime code and reporting system to accurately capture the true extent of these offences, ensuring police forces have the data and tools needed to successfully prosecute these individuals to the full extent of the law.

The root of this crisis lies partly in the chronic shortage of safe and secure parking spaces. Too many drivers are forced to rest in poorly lit, isolated locations that make them easy targets. It’s clear there needs to be a national approach to addressing this and want to see comprehensive national parking programme with standardised security measures to protect both drivers and cargo.

Central government must collaborate with local decision makers to plan and deliver facilities for our drivers that are safe, secure, well-lit and properly managed. These aren't simply commercial considerations – this is about protecting the very people who drive nationwide at all hours of the night, all year round to keep the supply chain moving.

Last week, we hosted our Freight Crime Showcase, bringing together technology experts, legal specialists, enforcement teams, and government officials. The event provided our members with cutting-edge solutions and strategies to defend against these evolving criminal threats.
Our industry needs substantial government investment to combat freight crime effectively. We’ll continue our campaign to keep this on the agenda. Our thanks to the MPs and the APPG for continuing to support our work on this.

The spending review presents an opportunity to prioritise this issue and support the businesses and drivers who are essential to the Government’s stated aim of driving economic growth.