In the UK, an alarming £250 million is estimated to be lost annually to freight crimes, totaling a predicted £6.1 billion by 2049, research by SNAP, the haulage industry’s digital marketplace, has revealed. With inflation rising this figure could even reach a staggering £7.9 billion. Across Europe €8.2 billion is lost to cargo theft, every year.
How Criminals Are Attacking the Logistics Industry
Criminals are using increasingly bold and sophisticated methods to exploit weaknesses in the logistics industry. Here are some specific examples of how they’re targeting businesses:
- Truck Hijacking: Thieves are intercepting trucks on highways or at rest stops. They use fake police checkpoints or forceful takeovers to seize high-value goods, such as electronics or pharmaceuticals, costing companies millions in losses.
- Warehouse Infiltration: Organized gangs are breaking into warehouses during low-security times, such as shift changes or holidays. They exploit gaps in surveillance and security to steal large quantities of goods.
- Cyber Manipulation: Hackers are targeting logistics companies by altering delivery routes, rerouting shipments, or stealing sensitive information from poorly protected systems. These attacks disrupt supply chains and can lead to major financial damage.
- Insider Fraud: Employees with inside knowledge are leaking shipping schedules or tampering with deliveries. Some insiders collaborate with external crime rings, allowing them to intercept goods more easily.
- Fake Orders and Fraudulent Pickups: Criminals place fake orders or use forged documents to claim shipments. By impersonating legitimate customers or delivery agents, they reroute products before they reach their intended destinations.
With the haulage industry making technological advancements in other areas, like autonomous trucks and EV vehicles, decision-makers are questioning why the industry does not leverage available technology and incorporate the latest security features to help fight freight crimes.
Based on the newest crime-fighting innovation from across the world, it is anticipated that by 2049:
- Truck parks will have 24/7 security, including the use of robot policing, such as dogs and patrols that provide autonomous surveillance, allowing all areas of truck parks to be monitored, without a human needing to be present.
- Secure entrances and exits will be introduced, which will only be accessed by pre-booked trucks, and monitored via license plate recognition.
- AI criminal pattern predictions, to anticipate crime.
- Facial recognition.
- Thermal cameras, to detect any unusual activity.
Other predictions include using information from tachographs to monitor truck drivers, helping to predict when drivers will need to reach truck stops, and keeping drivers rest safely away from roadsides.
Matthew Bellamy, managing director at SNAP said “There is an urgent need for investments in the safety and security of truck parks across the UK and Europe, truck drivers are the lifeblood of our economies and ensure that the public gets what they need. We need to encourage more people into the industry by offering a safe and secure environment for all. This highlights the need to protect drivers’ wellbeing, keeping them physically and mentally safe, alongside the financial benefits for supply chain operators and improved services for the nation”
Recent investments include €750 million from the IRU advocacy and £16 million from the UK government to transform truck parks. £16 million is just 6.4% of the £250 million and under 0.3% of the predicted £6.1 billion lost due to freight crimes in the UK, alone. Whilst we are pleased to see investments across Europe, it will be important to start seeing changes in action.
