The BBC has investigated a scheme in which organised criminal networks acquire haulage companies to operate as subcontractors, subsequently absconding with substantial shipments of cargo.
This type of fraud mirrors a trend previously identified by Europol in continental Europe. In these cases, legitimate businesses on the verge of insolvency are purchased by criminal groups, enabling them to steal cargo under the guise of contracted hauliers.
The BBC’s documentary, "Lorry Crime Exposed," highlights an example where several haulage firms were acquired using fraudulent identities, including the details of a deceased individual.
One such company was engaged as a subcontractor by an unsuspecting UK transport firm. A manufacturer loaded £75,000 worth of goods onto one of their vehicles, after which the goods disappeared.
The programme further examines additional methods used by criminals to target haulage operations, noting that freight theft in the UK increased to £111 million last year, compared to £68 million in 2023.
Footage obtained by the BBC depicts various tactics employed by perpetrators, including raiding lorries during deliveries, breaking into vehicles held up in traffic, breaching security at depots, and stealing entire trailers loaded with merchandise.
Drivers, many of whom sleep overnight in their cabs, have reported instances where they awake to find their vehicle’s curtain sides slashed by offenders attempting to access the cargo. Frequently targeted items include designer apparel, alcoholic beverages, and electronics.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has acknowledged that freight crime is becoming “more sophisticated [and] more organised,” emphasising the necessity for collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the transportation sector.
Deputy Chief Constable Jayne Meir, the NPCC’s inaugural lead for freight crime, announced that a new team within Opal—a police intelligence unit dedicated to combating organised acquisitive crime—will begin addressing the issue next year.
"Lorry Crime Exposed" was broadcast in the East and West Midlands on 17 November and is available via BBC iPlayer.
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