Freight and cargo crime prevention is under-resourced and ‘low priority’ according to a recent report by the UK’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).
A recent report from the government agency puts the cost of losses across England and Wales in 2022 at £66.6 million. There were 4,995 HGV and cargo crime notifications received last year and NaVCIS Freight participated in 284 arrests and 43 crime operations.
However, the ‘Profile of HGV, Freight & Cargo crime across England & Wales 2022’ report highlights key issues that need urgent attention from the government and stakeholders.
“Our report contains wide-ranging recommendations in order to rectify, or at least reduce the effects of what we believe is a damaging situation at all levels,” said DCI Brett Mallon, head of unit at NaVCIS.
“There are law enforcement and policing reforms regarding freight crime that are also urgently required and, of course through the recognition of the seriousness of the issue, a significant increase in resources as well.”
‘Low priority’
Key takeaways from the report are:
- Freight crime is committed by organised crime groups who are aware of police tactics
- This is a low risk, high reward crime, benefitting from being low on the list of police priorities
- Crime is putting intense pressure on the supply sector
- Lack of a central crime category or tag means crime largely hidden with lenient outcomes
- The public may be at direct risk of harm, arising from stolen medicines and foods
Specialist insurer TT Club’s managing director, loss prevention, Mike Yarwood, believes NaVCIS’s endeavours have helped reduce the indirect cost of such crimes from an estimated £700 million in 2019 to £428 million in 2021.
“This is still an alarmingly high level of loss despite the excellent work of the NaVCIS unit,” said Mike Yarwood before urging industry players to back efforts to fight this crime.
“TT urges entities that don’t yet support NaVCIS Freight to proffer their support as we do ourselves, he said.
