Mutual insurance provider TT Club is calling for co-ordinated industry and government action to clamp down on the rising threat of cargo theft in the UK. The call came after the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service conducted analysis of a Department for Transport (Task and Finish Group) report and found that 5,373 freight crime incidents were recorded in 2023 with estimated losses of £68m.

Although work has been done to improve the parking facilities available to lorry drivers in the UK, TT Club said there was also a need to enhance the security of these facilities for cargoes.

Mike Yarwood, managing director of loss prevention at TT Club, said: “We are pleased the Government has acknowledged the valuable outputs of the Task and Finish Group and the need for improved HGV driver facilities. However, urgent collective action is now needed to implement the report's recommendations, particularly in raising minimum security standards.”

Deputy Chief Constable Jayne Meir (pictured), lead for freight crime on the National Police Chiefs’ Council, added: “I welcome the findings of the Task and Finish Group report in relation to security standards for lorry parking facilities. The report provides truck stops and the haulage sector with an insight into the improvements that can be made, to keep drivers safe and their cargoes more secure.”