A haulage boss has warned that freight crime is putting small operators out of business.
Rhys Hackling, founder of Direct Connect Logistics in Bicester, said freight theft is a threat to the industry, with one stolen load capable of wiping out a month’s profit for a business running just two or three vehicles.
Mr Hackling said: "In January 2022, thieves attacked one of our trucks and took pallets of batteries.
"The truck was off the road for three days and the load was gone.
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"For a firm running two or three vehicles on tight margins, one stolen load can wipe out a month’s profit."
He explained that the problem is widespread and affects companies of all sizes, regardless of how established they are.
Mr Hackling said: "No operator is immune, however well established.
"The official figure is nine incidents a day across the UK, more than £65 million of goods taken last year.
"Some of this you can’t prevent. Some of it you can.
"There are two ways you lose a load. One is someone taking it off a parked vehicle.
"The other is handing it to the wrong person in the first place."
He also stressed the need for safer parking and better recognition of freight crime as organised crime.
Mr Hackling said: "What would make the biggest difference is straightforward.
"Somewhere safe for drivers to stop, and freight crime recognised and recorded as organised crime, not written off as opportunist theft."
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