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Truck crime costs UK business and in particular the road haulage industry £250m per year. While some of this crime is opportunistic, much of it is organised, and freight customers and freight carriers must do everything they can to protect loads, vehicles and drivers from thieves. Statistical information on truck crime is the province of TruckPol, the  road freight branch of the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. It also holds the national database of stolen freight and vehicles. A large proportion of regional road freight crime incidents are reported to TruckPol although not all as this depends upon the co-operation and awareness of regional constabularies. TruckPol produces an annual report and quarterly reports on road freight crime. There is usually a short delay after the end of a quarter or year for the data to be compiled.

The cost of truck crime

In July to September 2007 the minimum value of road freight crime was as follows:

• Vehicle value: £11,277,014
• Load value: £9,476,949  
• Combined value: £20,753,983
• Average loss per incident: £36,347.

These figures were taken from 576 incidents reported – higher than the previous two quarters. This suggests that despite better policing and greater security awareness, truck crime is growing. The majority of these are thefts of vehicles and theft from vehicles, between them accounting for approximately 330 of the incidents. The figures suggest that in 2007 80 drivers will have been hijacked and taken with their vehicle – 15 more than in 2006.

The most commonly stolen loads are household goods, electronic and electrical equipment and alcohol. However building materials and plant, clothes, shoes and foodstuffs are also regularly stolen. The TruckPol reports include road freight crime maps which show crime ‘hot spots’. In the UK, the Midlands and north-west of England are the worst regions for truck crime, although criminals can attack anywhere.

How do thieves operate?

Many rely on inside information. Family members of road transport workers may be approached or even threatened. Many organised gangs steal to order. This can include loads, or the vehicle itself. Many thieves take the whole truck and switch the tractor unit or trailer as soon as possible. Some gangs target unsecure truck parks and slash curtainsiders to reach goods. Around 80 drivers a year are hijacked and driven away along with the truck. Fortunately few are seriously harmed, although the psychological impact on drivers can be devastating. A large proportion of thefts still occur when the driver gets out of the cab momentarily, leaving the keys in the ignition.

Most thieves use deception. Common tricks are:

• Flagging the driver down pretending there is a problem with the load, the trailer or the vehicle.
• Staging an accident.
• Pretending to work at the delivery depot and redirecting the load, either in person or by phone. This is known as ‘round the corner’ theft.
• Impersonating police or traffic officers.

Crime prevention

• Keep routes secret and unpredictable. Avoid sending the same load by the same route regularly.
• Tell drivers not to discuss routes and loads at home – often family members or friends are put under pressure or bribed for information.
• Do not open the cab to anyone without first checking in with your control.
• Do not accept change of delivery instructions without first checking in with control.
• Protect identity documents and uniforms, and always lock vehicles whether or not in use.

TruckPol offers advice for drivers and road transport operators, vehicle security and depot security. See also the Home Office Steer Clear of Truck Theft publication or the safety guidelines from West Midlands Police. The Road Haulage Association also offers advice and a security audit service.

What are Thatcham ratings?

Thatcham - or the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre as it is less commonly known - runs a security research lab which invites manufacturers to describe the security aspects of their vehicles. It then systematically tests the vehicles by trying to force entry through the bonnet and doors and to start the engine without the original keys. The vehicle is then given a security rating.

The need for more UK truck parks

Drivers are more vulnerable if they cannot park at a secure, well-lit facility. Make sure your drivers’ routes allow rests to be taken at proper truck parks wherever possible. However the UK is very short of secure truck parks and trade associations among others frequently highlight the need for more.