Cargo Theft on the Rise
In recent years, freight theft has risen dramatically. According to a 2024 report from the British Standards Institution, incidents of cargo theft increased by 13% compared to previous years.
In 2023 alone, there were 5,370 reports of HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) and cargo crime, involving at least £68.3 million worth of stolen goods. However, this figure only represents the wholesale value— the actual retail value is estimated to be ten times higher.
Cargo theft is increasingly being carried out by organised crime gangs across the country. While some thefts are opportunistic, many are highly sophisticated. These gangs often tail individual lorries or place tracking devices on them, targeting the vehicles when they stop.
Notable Incidents of Cargo Theft
In 2024, there were several extreme cases of cargo theft. For example, £134,000 worth of Kinder Bueno chocolate was stolen from a trailer while the driver was unloading another cargo. Similarly, in 2023, a driver was threatened at gunpoint, and his truck was looted at the Welcome Break Oxford Services off the M40.
Certain motorways are known hotspots for organized freight theft. The M6 is a common target for gin and whisky shipments transported from distilleries in Scotland. Criminals monitor the M1 for high-value electrical goods originating from warehouses in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The A14 has seen thefts of car tyres near Cambridge and Kettering, often targeting goods shipped through the port at Felixstowe in Suffolk.
A recent incident occurred over the New Year holiday when an HGV driver stopped at a service station off the M3 motorway after picking up a load near Southampton. During the night, the driver was awoken by the sound of six men unloading cargo from the back of his lorry into three waiting vans. When he attempted to intervene, one of the vans was driven at him, forcing him to leap out of the way.
In mid-December 2024, a truck carrying 400 50-litre kegs of Guinness—equivalent to 35,200 pints—was stolen from a logistics hub near Daventry in Northamptonshire.
The Impact of Freight Theft
Freight theft has widespread consequences for consumers and the industry. Haulage companies face financial losses, increased insurance premiums, and, in some cases, closure. Many drivers of soft-sided vehicles now leave their rear doors open to show thieves that their cargo isn’t worth stealing—or that they’re carrying no load at all. This, however, increases vulnerability and could be mitigated by better security measures.
Reducing the Risk of Cargo Theft
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Motion Sensors and Cameras: These systems can trigger alarms for drivers and fleet managers. Cameras in the cargo area can activate in response to unauthorized movement, alerting operators to potential theft.
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Remote Locking Systems: Fully remote locking systems allow fleet managers to control and monitor cargo doors. Alarms can be triggered if a vehicle is opened outside designated geofenced areas.
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Live CCTV Monitoring: Live surveillance systems, combined with features like automatic event alerts, can notify fleet operators in real time, enabling prompt action. Even if cameras are damaged, recordings can be stored on a cloud system for later review.
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Asset Tracking: Tracking devices can monitor the location of trailers, not just the tractor units pulling them, ensuring comprehensive visibility of assets.