Freight News, Logistics, Road


Freight crime ‘spiralling out of control’ warns RHA

[ March 14, 2025   //   ]

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warned that freight crime could be spiralling out of control, after the latest figures, published on 12 March, showed a significant rise in the value of losses from goods stolen from lorries – up nearly two-thirds to £111.5 million.

The RHA has been calling for a national, co-ordinated approach to tackling freight crime and is again calling on policymakers to consider the needs of drivers and hauliers who play an essential role in the economy.

RHA managing director Richard Smith said: “These figures highlight the fact that freight crime is becoming more serious, more organised, and more intelligence led. Criminals have always known what goods are moving, when they’re moving and where they’re most at risk – and now it’s even higher reward for them.

“Criminals are increasingly focusing on vulnerable vehicles parked independently in laybys and industrial estates. We’re on the back foot because these figures still only represent estimates as we rely on voluntary reports by police forces. We’ll only know the true scale of the issue when we get the specific Freight Crime reporting code that the RHA has long been campaigning for.”

Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freight and Logistics, Rachel Taylor MP said: “The fact that fewer thefts are occurring at truckstops suggests that industry and government investment to date is working. However, there’s a long way to go and these figures underline the urgent need for more to be done to ensure our drivers and businesses are properly protected.

“Next week I am bringing forward a Ten Minute Rule Motion in Parliament, calling on the government to introduce a specific crime code so that hard-working police forces across the country can better monitor freight offences. That’s an important step in ensuring we can track freight criminals and put them behind bars where they belong.”

With the Government’s Spending Review underway, the RHA is urging Ministers to continue the It is also calling on the Government to launch a national parking programme. The current shortage of parking which forces many drivers to park overnight at unlit, unpopulated and vulnerable roadside facilities.

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