Freight-related crime is escalating, costing the UK economy an estimated £700 million in 2023 alone, according to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freight and Logistics.
This staggering figure represents lost revenues, but also includes VAT and insurance costs, highlighting the mounting strain on drivers, operators, and supply chains.
Freight crime isn’t just a growing problem; it’s a full-blown crisis. It jeopardises driver safety, compromises the security of goods in transit, and undermines the resilience of the UK’s logistics operations.
As an industry, resilience has become second nature. But at Fagan & Whalley, we believe this issue demands immediate, united action to protect our people, our goods, and our future.
This month, we’re exploring what freight crime is, how it impacts our industry, and what can be done about it.
What is freight crime?
Freight crime involves illegally targeting the transportation and storage of goods. This can include theft from lorries, trailers, and warehouses, fuel theft, tampering with shipments, and organised attacks on vehicles or facilities.
Shockingly, freight crime doesn’t only happen when drivers are forced to park on the roadside due to a lack of safe parking – it’s also happening within facilities deemed ‘secure.’ This highlights the urgent need for increased investment in truly safe and reliable driver facilities.
How common is freight crime in the UK?
- 5,370 reported incidents in 2023
- Incidents at motorway services increased by 59%
- Historically figures spike over the festive season
Source: TransInfo, 2024 and The Road Haulage Association (2024)
A study, funded by The Road Haulage Association (RHA) and published in November 2024, documented 5,370 reported incidents of HGV and cargo crime across the UK in 2023. This was a 5% increase on the previous year.
Likewise, in December 2024, several regional police forces put out warnings reporting a spike in cargo thefts over the Christmas period, urging haulage firms to stay vigilant – further emphasising the urgency of the issue.
Critically, these figures only scratch the surface of the issue. Because many incidents go unreported, the true scale of freight crime is likely much higher than current data suggests. With theft hotspots spread across the country and organised gangs becoming more sophisticated in their tactics, the issue is widespread and pressing.
The financial burden of freight crime in the logistics industry:
- In 2023, £68.3 million worth of goods were stolen
- In 2023, the total estimated cost to the UK economy in 2023 is £700 million
- Since 2020, the estimated cost of freight crime is over £1 billion
Source: The Road Haulage Association (2024)
It’s no secret that our industry has faced its share of turbulence in recent years. From rising operational costs to HGV driver shortages, unlettable warehouses and supply chain disruptions, the challenges, to many, have felt relentless.
The growing frequency of freight crime adds yet another burden, driving up insurance premiums, causing costly delays, and forcing operators to invest in additional security measures. These financial pressures not only threaten profitability but also strain the resilience of businesses across the industry.
For example, a £50,000 trailer of cheeses was stolen from Strensham Services on December 1st, 2024. That’s a devastating blow to even the larger logistics operations – but for small and medium-sized businesses, it could be catastrophic.
Another cost to consider…
Dan Fagan, our Managing Director here at Fagan & Whalley raises another issue, “A further factor to consider is the cost of trying to avoid freight crime. Realistically, many drivers cannot continue driving for an extra hour to find a more suitable facility – it’s just not feasible in an industry with such tight margins.
“More importantly, drivers often don’t have enough time to reach safe facilities when they’ve already spent long hours waiting at distribution centres.”
The cost of freight crime on the UK’s HGV drivers:
- Overall dissatisfaction with UK roadside facilities is around 62%.
Source: The Road Haulage Association (2024)
While the economic toll of freight crime is widely acknowledged, for drivers, the stakes are deeply personal. A shortage of genuinely ‘safe’ roadside facilities only adds to the strain of a job that’s already (often) demanding and stressful.
The RHA highlights that, due to the severe lack of secure parking spaces, many drivers are forced to take mandatory rest periods in lay-bys or on industrial estates. These non-secure locations make drivers more vulnerable to organised crime gangs, who target both their cargo and fuel.
In addition to the usual pressures of the job, at the end of a long shift, drivers are left asking:
- Will there be access to a clean toilet tonight?
- Will I be able to get a decent meal?
- Will there be hot water if I need a shower?
- Will I reach a safe parking facility before my legal driving hours run out?
- And, most troubling of all – will I be safe tonight while I rest?
In 2025, this is unacceptable. Dan Fagan continues, “We need safer, higher quality parking for our drivers, to deter criminal gangs from targeting them.”
“At a time when the industry should be focused on attracting more HGV drivers to tackle the ongoing driver shortages, we are instead at risk of turning people away. The lack of proper facilities and safety only makes an already challenging job harder. We support the RHA in pushing the government to do more to address these issues, ensuring that our drivers are treated with the respect and care they deserve.”
What is being done about freight crime?
As alarming as freight crime is, at Fagan & Whalley we are optimistic that change can happen. In December 2024, MPs called for stronger measures to address freight crime’s impact on the industry.
Notably, Rachel Taylor MP, Chair of the APPG for Freight and Logistics, emphasised the need for a coordinated national strategy. This includes allocating additional resources for police such as better training, and a nationwide awareness campaign to address freight crime effectively.
The Road Haulage Association continues to push for support…
Additionally, over the last two years, the RHA has successfully lobbied for a £100 million in investment for truck parking and the creation of a task force to address barriers to building new facilities. We stand firmly behind the RHA and their ongoing efforts to improve safety and security for all those in the logistics sector.
Here at Fagan & Whalley, we recognise that the logistics industry cannot tackle these challenges alone. It requires collaboration between policymakers, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
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