RHA calls for action as truck cargo thefts hit £1 billion

RHA managing director Richard Smith said: “These figures highlight the fact that freight crime is becoming more serious, more organised and more intelligence-led. Criminals have always known what goods are moving, when they’re moving and where they’re most at risk – and now it’s an even higher reward for them.”

He added: “Criminals are increasingly focusing on vulnerable vehicles parked independently in laybys and industrial estates. We’re on the back foot because these figures only represent estimates as we rely on voluntary reports by police forces. We'll only know the true scale of the issue when we get the specific freight crime reporting code that the RHA has long been campaigning for.”

Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freight and Logistics, Rachel Taylor MP, said: “The fact that fewer thefts are occurring at truckstops suggests that industry and Government investment to date is working. However, there's a long way to go and these figures underline the urgent need for more to be done to ensure our drivers and businesses are properly protected.”

Taylor is bringing forward a 10-minute rule motion in Parliament, calling on the Government to introduce a specific crime code so that police forces across the country can better monitor freight offences. She said: “That’s an important step in ensuring we can track freight criminals and put them behind bars where they belong.”

With the Government’s Spending Review underway, the RHA is urging ministers to continue the grant scheme for HGV parking facilities and better target the funding in high crime locations.

Key recommendations include: endorse and support secure parking standards, launch a national parking programme, increase support and resources for the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and launch a national freight crime awareness campaign.

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