The UK Parliament recently debated the issue of freight crime, underscoring its significant impact on public safety and the economy.
The discussion highlighted the insufficient resources allocated to addressing freight crime, particularly for the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). The debate brought attention to organised crime and the broader implications for the logistics sector, which supports £13.5 billion in economic activity and contributes 5.6% of the UK’s GDP.
NaVCIS currently operates with limited resources, including just one full-time police officer, a part-time analyst, and a part-time data entry clerk. Its freight crime investigation team is unable to address organised crime on a national scale, according to the debate.
TT Club voiced its support for the call, having been a long-term supporter of NaVCIS, offering financial and practical backing. Mike Yarwood (pictured above), TT Club’s managing director of loss prevention, welcomed the parliamentary attention.
“The detailed aspects of both opportunistic and well-planned theft; the lack of secure overnight parking facilities; the identification of crime hotspots as well as concerns over driver safety, which is discouraging female recruits, were all discussed and their significance put into perspective as priorities to be addressed,” Yarwood said.
The UK road haulage industry, responsible for moving 89% of all goods and 98% of agricultural and food products, plays a crucial role in the economy. Every £1 generated by the logistics industry creates £3 in downstream economic benefits. Freight crime not only disrupts these operations but also affects the broader supply chain.
Rachel Taylor MP, who led the parliamentary debate, linked tackling freight crime to the Government’s strategic goals. She noted its importance in achieving the Government’s "five missions" and called for greater collaboration between industry and policymakers.
TT Club said that it is continuing its efforts to combat freight crime. Yarwood serves as vice-chair of the HGV Parking Capacity and Standards Task and Finish Group, established by the Department for Transport. The group is developing recommendations to improve lorry parking standards and reduce crime, working closely with NaVCIS and other industry stakeholders.
“Our report is aimed at providing a detailed analysis of the current state of freight crime and offer practical solutions to enhance security and reduce incidents. In underscoring the importance of industry and government working together to safeguard the logistics sector, we hope our collaboration will encourage others to add their weight to the efforts fight crime,” Yarwood said.
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