Opinion: Freight crime is on the rise — it’s time to take action

By Philip van der Wilt, SVP GM EMEA at Samsara

In March, a new Bill was tabled in Parliament aimed specifically at tackling serious and organised freight crime. 

Backed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freight and Logistics, the proposed legislation would give law enforcement new powers to investigate and disrupt freight-related criminal networks. 

According to figures from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Police Service (NaVCIS), it’s estimated that the value of stolen goods between 2023 and 2024 totalled over £110 million. And the true cost could be even higher. 

As an issue that’s increasingly affecting more of the industry, freight crime cannot be ignored. 

A recent survey conducted by Samsara found that, of the 500 UK professional drivers surveyed, a third (33%) believe that the number of fuel or asset theft incidents is on the rise. 

Moreover, almost half (47%) reported that they know other professional drivers who have been a victim of theft.

So, while fleets are left waiting for greater legislative protection, they need to take control of the situation themselves — or risk incurring thousands of pounds in damage and loss. And one of the most effective ways for them to do so is through technology.

Fighting back with technology

One example of technology being used to prevent freight crime — or, at the very least, to help recover stolen assets — is GPS tracking. By providing real-time visibility into the location of vehicles, trailers, and tools, fleet managers can pinpoint the location of assets and monitor unauthorised movements.

This becomes particularly powerful when paired with geofences. With geofences, fleets can create a digital perimeter around key areas — such as warehouses or work yards — and receive an alert if a vehicle or trailer leaves the designated location. 

When combined with GPS tracking, businesses are immediately notified when a theft has taken place and can follow the asset’s movements in real-time, enabling fleets to act quickly.

There are also a number of technologies that fleets are already using which can be used to bolster security. 

AI-powered dashcams, for example, use built-in motion detection to notify security teams if they detect suspicious activity near vehicles, empowering organisations to step in before the vehicle is potentially stolen. 

Similarly, environment monitors in trailers will identify changes in ambient conditions and alert managers to potential security breaches.

The common thread that links these technologies together is visibility — and it’s this real-time, always-on level of monitoring that is enabling fleets to minimise the impact of freight crime. 

JJX Logistics, UK-based haulier specialising in high-value or dangerous goods, is a good example of how having comprehensive oversight of an entire operation can transform a fleet’s security.

“With the growing threat of cargo loss and theft targeting, being able to provide very secure and compliant transport operations is vital to the likes of the aerospace, automotive and technology industries,” said Edward Martin, head of fleet compliance at JJX Logistics. “In many cases, 100% vehicle visibility is vital for the safety of both the cargo and the driver.”

Better together

JJX’s approach is one that is increasingly gaining traction across the industry. By investing in technology, fleets are minimising risk and giving peace of mind to drivers and managers alike.

When organisations take responsibility for their security, they aren’t just protecting their own business — they’re working towards making the whole industry more secure. 

A coordinated response to freight crime will be essential in ultimately deterring bad actors from attempting to steal in the first place.

And that’s important. Because with so much pressure on parliamentary time, it’s impossible to say whether the proposed APPG Bill — which is crucial to providing additional protection to the industry — will make it on the statute book.

Until then, adopting data-driven connected technology that boosts vehicle and fleet security is not just smart business — it’s essential for survival in an increasingly hostile environment.