The RHA has launched a manifesto today (22 April) calling on Police and Crime Commissioners to commit to measures to tackle freight crime and support the industry on abnormal loads.

The RHA’s Driving Down Freight Crime manifesto has been published ahead of local elections in England and Wales on 2 May.

Launching the manifesto, RHA said: “Freight crime costs the UK economy around £250m a year.

The RHA’s Driving Down Freight Crime manifesto has been published ahead of local elections in England and Wales on 2 May.

Launching the manifesto, RHA said: “Freight crime costs the UK economy around £250m a year.

“The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NavCIS) reports that there were 5,373 reports of HGV and cargo crime in the UK in 2023, with an estimated cost of the loss in value from the thefts alone of £68m – with the retail value much higher.”

Its key recommendations include a request that all Police and Crime Commissioners make driving down freight crime a priority by:

  • Ensuring their force recognises the true impact of freight crime on victims, particularly businesses and drivers by referencing it directly in their Police and Crime Plan.
  • Encouraging full engagement with NaVCIS in acting to drive down freight crime, including reporting instances of freight crime directly to the unit, inclusion of the #FREIGHT tag in reports and requesting assistance where significant numbers of freight crime instances are reported.
  • Inclusion of freight crime in policies relating to organised crime and liaise with other forces to address issues, including through the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
  • Recognising the role of safe and secure truckstop parking in driving down freight crime and convening stakeholders from industry and local authorities to help applications be approved for new safe and secure truck parking, particularly in areas of highest need.
  • Making use of commissioning powers to invest in driving down freight crime, by sponsoring NaVCIS operations.
  • Assisting truckstops with investment in security measures.
  • Creating a local awareness campaign.
  • Lobbying alongside other PCCs for national action to drive down freight crime, including via a NPCC Freight Crime Strategy and a National Awareness Campaign.
  • Lobbying for government funding towards NaVCIS operations.
  • Engaging with the Opal team on serious organised acquisitive crime.
  • Consistent restrictions on the movement of abnormal loads to reduce journey times.

Turning to the issue of the movement of abnormal loads, RHA said: “We’re campaigning for more consistency with how police forces manage abnormal load enforcement.

“We commissioned – as part of the Abnormal Loads Group – independent economic research on the impact these actions are having on hauliers and the wider economy.

“A CEBR report has shown that the estimated financial cost of increased requirements for hauliers moving abnormal loads is £16.8m per annum.”

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