Policy & Compliance
BIFA member policy & compliance director Robert Windsor examines the extent of cargo-related crime Theft from vehicles – but not cargo A driver checks his diesel tank cap for signs of stolen fuel.
W orking with insurers and Members, we have been highlighting cargo security and the growing problem of it being stolen when it is at its most vulnerable - when being transported. It is a rather depressing story – we all know it happens but in many ways no signi fi cant progress is being made on remedying the problem. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is quite correct in its lobbying to make cargo-related incidents a specific crime because, at the moment we are all in the dark as to its true extent. What we are clear on though is that such crimes take many forms. Insurers indicate that cargo theft is among the top three incidents leading to an insurance claim. However, this is only part of the story - in fact, the single most frequently stolen product was diesel fuel. According to National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) figures in 2023, there were 1,733 such offences accounting for over £2 million of stolen fuel. Changing tactics Fuel is essential to both the private and commercial transport sectors – it is relatively expensive, difficult to trace and there is significant demand. Fuel theft is something that the sector is trying to combat, with technology such anti-syphon tanks being one deterrent. However, this can exacerbate the problem because thieves now drill through the fuel tank! Bearing in mind that a truck may have two x 500-litre tanks fitted, it is an attractive target for thieves. The haulier has to deal with the loss of the stolen fuel, the damaged vehicle has to be repaired and a replacement hired in. If the vehicle is loaded the issues are compounded by the need to source a replacement vehicle, transfer the load, account
for wasted driver’s hours and potentially rebook a failed delivery. Such incidental losses are rarely insured, leaving the operator with a sizeable bill. Statistics indicate that such incidents usually occur when a vehicle is parked up for the driver to take a statutory break, or overnight in a layby or similar. Well-intentioned people say that drivers should make use of safe and secure parking areas, but these are relatively few in number. Members advise that they are heavily utilised, relatively expensive and not particularly secure. BIFA supports efforts by other organisations to improve this situation which would, in all probability, deter the thief. However, progress has been slow, particularly in improving the provision of secure overnight parking. We are not going to repeat the usual suggestions regarding how to reduce the risk. You have heard them all before.
The key point is that hauliers are unreasonably exposed to criminal activity; the matter is not going to improve until certain criteria are met. These are that cargo and HGV related incidents must be reported as a specific crime and recorded and investigated as a matter of priority. Secure parking shortfall The provision of secure parking areas needs to be improved and made available at a reasonable cost to the industry, with insurers providing additional incentives. Manufacturers must also be encouraged to improve security during the design and manufacturing process of vehicles. It will take time to bring about meaningful improvement, but the road transport sector has been under pressure for some time and the negative impact on the operators and the workforce is well known.
“ The provision of secure parking areas needs to be improved and made available at a reasonable cost to the industry, with insurers
providing additional incentives
October 2024 | 19
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