Rising freight crime across the United Kingdom has prompted a closer alliance between two leading industry bodies – the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA EMEA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA).
The organisations have formalised their cooperation by exchanging associate partner memberships, allowing them to work more closely to protect supply chains against increasingly organised criminal activity.
The move follows evidence of a marked escalation in cargo-crime incidents.
Data from TAPA EMEA’s Intelligence System recorded more than 5 800 freight-crime cases in the UK over the two years to September 30, with reported losses in cases where values were disclosed exceeding €72 million.
Major incidents, defined as losses above €100 000, averaged more than €775 000.
In a joint effort to curb the trend, TAPA EMEA and BIFA will collaborate on enhanced intelligence-sharing, security guidance and practical measures aimed at reducing theft, disruption and financial losses across the supply chain.
Both organisations emphasise that freight crime has become a significant threat to logistics operations, requiring a coordinated industry response.
The strengthened partnership comes as political pressure builds to address the issue at a national level, with the proposed Freight Crime Bill scheduled for its second reading in Parliament on November 28.
Industry leaders say the combined efforts of trade associations, law-enforcement agencies and government will be essential to tackling the growing economic impact of freight-related crime.
