Survey: fleets ‘growing complacent’ on cargo theft despite rising incidents
Telematics specialist Geotab has warned that new research it has conducted suggests UK fleet operators are becoming increasingly complacent about cargo theft – despite industry data indicating that losses from the crime have increased more than fourfold across Europe since 2022.
The Geotab survey gauged the views of more than 3,500 fleet managers across seven European countries, 64 per cent of whom said they were less concerned about cargo theft than they were 12 months ago. For the UK, this figure was slightly lower, at 55 per cent.
But the apparent reduced level of concern stands in contrast to reported exposure to cargo theft, with those surveyed reporting that they had experienced an average of 34 incidents (32 in the UK) related to the crime in the past year.
Geotab says the research highlights a growing disconnect between increasingly sophisticated criminal methods and technologies being used by fleets to prevent it. It highlights a rise in technologically sophisticated threats across Europe, mirroring trends seen in the United States, as criminals increasingly bypass traditional security measures by exploiting vulnerabilities in technology.
“Cargo theft is an existential threat to supply chains, driver retention, and customer trust – yet many fleets appear to be letting their guard down,” said Edward Kulperger, senior vice president, EMEA at Geotab.
“While criminal tactics are becoming highly sophisticated, fleet defences have often not kept pace due to perceived cost barriers.”
Risks identified by the surveyed fleet managers ranged from strategic theft through fraud and deception, to insider-facilitated theft and in-transit crime. Cameras were the most cited preventative measure, mentioned by just over a quarter of those questioned – and the survey suggested adoption rates were low for technologies such as real-time trailer tracking, sensor-based alerts and verified driver ID.
22 per cent of respondents said they relied solely on insurance to cover losses from theft which, Geotab suggests, signals a reactive approach, prioritising reimbursement over prevention and recovery. This, says the company, leaves drivers, customers and supply chains exposed, ultimately pushing costs downstream as insurance premiums rise, leading to increased product prices.
The findings show no clear consensus on strategies for prevention, recovery or prosecution, says Geotab, despite sustained incident levels and clear operational impact. While larger fleets report more incidents, they often express less concern, the firm observes, reinforcing the contradiction in its survey data.
“The combination of falling concern and fragmented security approaches is creating blind spots just as cargo theft becomes more organised and cross-border in nature,” added Edward Kulperger.
“We expect cargo theft risk to intensify in 2026 as organised crime networks expand, margins tighten across logistics, and insurers and regulators increase scrutiny. Fleets that fail to move from reactive to data-led security strategies risk higher losses and deeper operational strain.
“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.”
