Logistics UK forges freight crime partnership with TAPA EMEA
Logistics UK has joined forces with TAPA EMEA, the division of the Transported Asset Protection and Association covering Europe, in a bid to promote freight crime resilience and information sharing across the logistics sector.
As part of the partnership, representatives from Logistics UK will attend an annual conference organised by TAPA EMEA, to discuss methods of collaboration and information-sharing with members. This follows recent round-table events on the topic held by the trade group in London and Edinburgh, with Rachel Taylor MP – who has championed a more coordinated approach to tackling freight crime – and Scottish government representatives.
Maddi Solloway-Price, head of road freight policy at Logistics UK, said: “As the world’s leading supply chain security and resilience association, TAPA EMEA is committed to helping minimise losses from its members through information sharing, training and monitoring – all elements of moving goods which we are keen to help our members improve.
“By tapping into their expertise, and sharing our own knowledge with them, we are confident that the partnership will help to drive awareness of and create solutions for future issues, before they occur.”
Thorsten Neumann, TAPA EMEA’s CEO and president, said that growing industry collaboration and government awareness around the threat of cargo crime was “very encouraging”.
“TAPA EMEA and our members are only too aware of the high level of freight crime across the UK. As well as gathering and sharing more intelligence to understand when, where, and how these crimes occur, we also encourage industry stakeholders to use the various security and crime prevention solutions already available to reduce the chances of falling victim to cargo crime,” he said.
“These include our own supply chain security Standards for facilities, trucking, secure parking, and cyber security as well as Driver Security Guides and training courses, all created to minimise supply chain losses.”
The partnership follows other agreements that have been established by Logistics UK in recent months, with the National Vehicle Crime and Intelligence Service, NaVCIS, as well as the Motorway Buddy app service – both of which aim to improve vehicle crime reporting and highlight means by which drivers can avoid and prevent attacks on vehicles.
“Logistics UK is redoubling its efforts to improve the safety and security of hauliers operating on the UK’s strategic road network, by improving information flows across the industry and sharing best practice to keep drivers and their vehicles as safe as possible,” said Ms Solloway-Price.
“Our industry is one that the economy relies upon to deliver on time and our drivers are the backbone of that service – any information and guidance that we can share between our organisations will help to keep us all as well informed as possible to counteract potential criminal attacks.
“Meanwhile, we will continue to share all intelligence that we gather with government representatives as we press for an improved nationwide network of secure parking and rest facilities.”
She added: “Those of us who work in offices take it for granted that we are safe and secure at work, and can take a comfortable rest when the working day ends. This is not a done deal for our logistics drivers – but in partnership with TAPA EMEA, NaVCIS and Motorway Buddy, Logistics UK is committed to driving change from the government.”
Harry Hughes, TAPA EMEA’s UK regional lead, added: “It’s easy to dismiss the impact of cargo crime, until you suffer a major loss. Then, the reality kicks in. Attacks on supply chains not only put frontline staff at risk, the resulting high-value losses can pose a real threat to customer relationships, too. By working more closely with Logistics UK and other partners in the UK, we believe we can collectively make a positive difference to the resilience of our national and cross-border supply chains.”
