John Martin FREIGHT CRIME ON THE RISE

The report found that gangs of organised crime groups robbing lorries cost the UK economy £428 million in 2021. The main location such crime happens is independent road parking, typically on the side of a lay-by or industrial estate however such crimes also take place within recognised lorry parking facilities where operators are charged for the use of the facilities.

The RHA hosted a seminar between the NaVCIS and Northern Irish members following increased concerns about freight crime figures. The meeting discussed the number of freight crimes reported – with over 5000 notifications reported in the UK in 2022.

As cargo crime rates rise, the RHA is encouraging drivers and operators to report any suspicious behaviour. Last month saw an increase in crimes targeting HGVs, with a rise in both fuel and cargo thefts. Operators with vehicles parked both in recognised lorry parking facilities and outside truck stops are frequently the target of criminals who attack drivers, damage vehicles and steal fuel or cargo amounting to on occasions to £100s thousands.

HGV drivers are being urged to report anything suspicious when parked up to the police and NaVCIS.

NaVCIS is a national police unit hosted by Hampshire Constabulary.

They operate independently, under the direction of the National Police Chief Councils’ vehicle crime section. They are 100% funded by industry under the provisions of the Police Act 1996. Supporting law enforcement partners by investigating reports of vehicle crime and providing specialist operational analysis, advice and support to UK police forces.

Road freight theft is not a new phenomenon. The RHA has long advocated for more safe and secure truck parking. It is wrong for drivers to be forced to park in ill-lit or insecure locations on occasions where there are with no fences, security lights or more importantly CCTV cameras to discourage thieves.

It was highlighted by NaVCIS some of these attacks aren’t just random or opportunist thieves as many of them work in organised crime gangs, which are often linked to broader networks, with a focus on the valuable and resaleable contents of an HGV.

The RHA also believe the reclassifying certain HGV attacks would be beneficial as well. Offences involving violence are classed as “robbery,” and the police take them far more seriously. When no violence is involved, they are labelled as “theft from motor vehicle.’ That implies fewer police investigations and less severe penalties for robbery criminals. This is unacceptable, as lorry load theft deserves its own category.

Without this, organised criminal groups will continue to see lorry load theft as an easy target, being low-risk and high reward with little possibility of detection.

The true extent and impact of cargo crime is distorted by a lack of reliable and consistent data, in part due to the low priority afforded to it in comparison to more high profile offences. It’s also advisable to check your insurance and goods in transit cover. As a haulier or warehouse contractor, you are not only insuring the goods you carry or store – you are protecting your business against the liability you are exposed to under the Terms and Conditions of carriage under which you operate with your customers.

It is important you have the correct policies in place with adequate goods in transit cover reflecting the value of the goods carried and that they are carried under trade body conditions of carriage. If you rely on a trade bodies Conditions of Carriage within your Goods in Transit Insurance make sure the correct updated version of the CoC is quoted and you are actually a member of the trade body CoC that you are insured under otherwise that might invalidate your cover.

Tom Cornwell, RHA Policy lead for Infrastructure and Operator Licensing, said of the figures: “This is a worrying trend, and features in one of the RHA’s campaign priorities for safe and secure roadside parking and facilities for drivers and vehicles. There is an increased focus on security in the industry at present, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis.

“We are calling for facilities providers to look at the security at their sites and ensure that drivers are safe and feel safe when they visit. We have also pointed out that often the wouldbe criminals are organised and not always opportunistic.”