CONTACT US
Global (English)  

Cargo Theft: The Definitive Guide to Improve Fleet & Cargo Security

Last updated : March 10, 2025
Improve safety

In recent years, the transport and logistics industry has faced many disruptions in the supply chain. However, none now is so pressing as cargo theft. Continuing globalisation has meant an increase in the amount of freight shipped across international boundaries, but likewise financial inflation and general shortages signalled a growing degree of trailer robberies. There are various methods available for thieves to carry out such criminal behaviour, although it’s clear that there is no distinction between who will be targeted - all goods are fair game for opportunists.

Evidently, the possibility of cargo theft happening is a burdensome concern for fleet managers worldwide. After all, security breaches equate to a presence of danger for drivers, as well as substantial monetary losses for businesses. Fleet managers go to extensive lengths to reduce fleet costs, and instances of cargo theft fundamentally work to undermine these efforts.

Fortunately, owing to leading industry advancements, there are now more ways than ever to ensure the security of your fleet and the cargo it’s transporting. In this guide, we’ll be going over some definitive preventative measures which fleet managers can take in order to decrease the risk - and impact - of cargo theft.

Cargo Theft Statistics

When talking of cargo theft, there is no better context than what the statistics show. Followingly, it’s important to be aware of the fact that in December 2022, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) recorded an average of nearly 20 cargo theft incidents per day across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (source). For reference, this totalled to losses of more than €17 million in a single month.

Building on this, the scale of cargo crime within the UK alone is striking. In 2023, there were 5,370 reported incidents involving HGVs and cargo theft, with losses amounting to at least £68.3 million in wholesale value. However, this is just a fraction of the bigger picture, freight crimes in the UK are estimated to cost businesses an alarming £250 million annually, with theft across Europe resulting in losses of approximately €8.2 billion each year. 

Worryingly, the problem is only growing, as a 2024 report from the British Standards Institution highlights a 13% rise in cargo theft compared to previous years.

The Impact of Cargo Theft

From this data, the collective influence of freight crime can easily be seen. Namely, staggering financial losses. Of course, the impact on the supply chain is detrimental, and what’s more, the majority of the goods stolen were unspecified. This comes with the unsettling implication that no vehicle fleet is safe from theft, whether they’re carrying food, fuel, electronics, or otherwise. Moreover, cargo is most vulnerable when it’s being transported via public roads, given the amount of unsecured parking locations and the distance between each destination point.

This opens up the potential for theft both when a vehicle is stationary, in addition to when it is moving. Indeed, forms of cargo theft involve direct stealing, self-smuggling stowaways, and strategic cybercrime. So, the natural question is: how can fleet managers combat cargo theft?

Cargo Theft Prevention

Cargo theft statistics paint an admittedly bleak picture for fleet managers, perhaps making it seem inevitable that criminals will target their fleet at some point. Despite this, a standout characteristic of the transport industry is that it is very good at constantly adapting and evolving. As such, in the area of cargo theft prevention, there are many tips for fleet operators in the shape of modern solutions to cargo theft, including:

  • Asset Tracking

Asset tracking is a way for fleet managers to accurately monitor and record the location, status, maintenance history and schedule, value, and ownership of the physical items being carried by a fleet. Asset tracking is achieved through the use of technology like RFID, barcodes, and GPS. The latter of which, affords fleet managers with real-time visibility over the cargo housed by their fleet, with sensors detecting if something goes wrong, i.e., geofencing. Such visibility over assets is essential because it results in quick and reliable responses in cases of cargo theft.

  • Route Planning

Route planning is ubiquitous in fleet management, but particularly important as a preventative measure against cargo theft. Route planning in this context refers to defining routes for fleet jobs which are known to be secure, i.e., routes where there is little chance of theft occurring. The prerequisite for secure route planning is intelligence. For example, it’s beneficial for fleet managers to know that cargo theft increases during holidays, weekends, and while drivers are stationary. Further, there are organisations that can provide detailed accounts and reports related to relevant criminal activity. Incorporating such information into fleet routes directly reduces the likelihood of cargo theft.

  • Dash Cameras

Camera video monitoring through dash cams is an advanced measure which enhances cargo theft prevention by providing vision both inside and outside the vehicle. A comprehensive setup includes front-facing, driver-facing, rear-facing, and side-facing cameras, the front and in-cab cams being equipped with AI functionality. These intelligent systems actively detect suspicious activity, such as unauthorised access to cargo, erratic driving behaviour, or potential threats during stops. Alerts are automatically sent to fleet managers, enabling swift responses to security breaches. This level of surveillance not only deters criminals, but also provides crucial evidence in the event of an incident, reinforcing overall cargo security.

  • Driver Training

The drivers that comprise a fleet of vehicles are the ones who experience cargo theft first-hand. Consequently, it’s only right that they should be fully prepared and trained for such incidents. Driver training encapsulates programmes designed to instruct fleet drivers on preliminaries for secure cargo pickups, deliveries, driving behaviour, stopovers, on-road control zones, and actions to take in the event of both suspected and actual cargo theft incidents. Guidance like this is integral to security risk assessments and prospective decision-making, and so vital to driver safety within the fleet management sector.

Cargo Risk Management from MICHELIN Connected Fleet

Cargo theft is primarily successful when it is unexpected and unanticipated. Yet, fleet managers may be inclined to believe that they are exempt from it. Although it is easier to not be cautious, cargo theft’s prevalence is unmistakable. And so, it’s a responsibility for fleet managers to be adequately prepared when crime is directed towards their vehicles.

We at MICHELIN Connected Fleet understand the severity of cargo theft, and have therefore implemented preventative measures within our fleet management solutions. Our asset tracking technology allows fleet managers to rest assured regarding the safety of the cargo their vehicles are transporting, all while facilitating the compliance and optimisation of overall operations.

If you’re interested in a cargo safety solution which leverages a combination of software and hardware, principally intended to improve the security of both your fleet and its drivers, then be sure to make an enquiry into what our services can do for you today. For more reading material, feel free to browse our resources centre.
MICHELIN Connected Fleet

Written by MICHELIN Connected Fleet

  Back to Blog