UK fleet operators are becoming less concerned about cargo theft despite continuing high incident rates and sharply rising losses, according to new research from Geotab.
The survey of more than 3,500 fleet managers across seven European countries found that 55% of UK respondents said they were less concerned about cargo theft than they were 12 months ago. Across Europe, the figure was even higher at 64%.
However, this declining level of concern contrasts with the scale of the issue. UK fleets reported experiencing an average of 32 cargo theft-related incidents over the past year, while the European average stood at 34 incidents per company. Industry data also shows that losses linked to cargo theft have risen by 438% since 2022.
Edward Kulperger, senior vice president, EMEA at Geotab, which provides AI-driven fleet management solutions for its clients, warned that fleets risk underestimating the scale of the threat.
“Cargo theft is an existential threat to supply chains, driver retention, and customer trust – yet many fleets appear to be letting their guard down,” he said. “While criminal tactics are becoming highly sophisticated, fleet defences have often not kept pace due to perceived cost barriers.”
The research points to a widening gap between the methods used by organised criminals and the technologies deployed by fleets to prevent theft. Increasingly sophisticated tactics – including fraud, deception and insider-facilitated theft – are being used to exploit vulnerabilities in traditional security approaches.
Despite this, no single prevention technology is widely adopted across fleets. Cameras were the most commonly cited security measure, used by just 27% of respondents, while uptake of other tools such as real-time trailer tracking, sensor-based alerts and verified driver identification remains low.
The findings also suggest many operators are taking a reactive approach. More than one in five (22%) respondents said they rely solely on insurance to cover cargo theft losses, rather than investing in preventative measures.
Geotab warned this approach leaves drivers, customers and supply chains exposed, while also contributing to rising costs as insurance premiums increase and are passed on through higher prices.
The report also highlights a contradiction at the heart of the sector: larger fleets, which report higher numbers of incidents, often express lower levels of concern about cargo theft.
Kulperger said this combination of declining concern and fragmented security strategies is creating “blind spots” at a time when cargo theft is becoming more organised and increasingly cross-border in nature.
Looking ahead, Geotab expects the risk to intensify in 2026 as organised crime networks expand, margins tighten and scrutiny from insurers and regulators increases.
Kulperger added that fleets must shift from reactive to data-led approaches to mitigate the threat.
“Fleets that fail to move from reactive to data-led security strategies risk higher losses and deeper operational strain,” he said.
“Investing in modern security technology and driver training is now central to protecting supply chains, retaining drivers, and controlling downstream costs that ultimately hit customers,” he added.
