With a large fleet of HIABs, Moffetts, Flatbeds, Rigid, Artic and Sprinter Vehicles, Sussex Transport knows only too well the importance of security whilst on the road.
With Christmas approaching, haulage firms are often much busier in December – transporting higher than normal volumes of expensive consumer products. It is estimated that £250 million worth of goods are stolen from road freight in the UK alone.
This crime affects manufacturers, hauliers, insurers and, of course, the drivers who, are often threatened by the criminals involved.
According to the European Union, the theft of high value, high risk products moving in supply chains in Europe costs businesses in excess of £6.9 billion a year. The threat from organized criminals is increasing and becoming more violent.
The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is a unique forum that unites global manufacturers, logistics providers, freight carriers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders with the common aim of reducing losses from international supply chains.
Today, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia, TAPA’s membership is at its highest ever level – and growing month-on-month. The Association’s 600+ members include many of the world’s leading manufacturing brands as well as their logistics and transport providers with combined annual sales of over US$900 billion.
The coming new year will see an important next step in the logistics sector’s collective effort to combat the gangs with the introduction of new TAPA standards designed to reduce the potential for crime on the roads.
Like its property-based standards, TAPA’s Truck Security Requirements (TSRs) are voluntary, but may come to be seen as additional certification for those manufacturers and retailers of high-value goods running the rule over prospective logistics partners.
The Truck Security Requirements will cover the aspects of communication, hardware and route-planning that freight firms have recognised as essential to protect employees and the integrity of cargo. They also provide further illustration of how collaboration between clients and logistics firms is important in tackling crime effectively.
Greater co-ordination with law enforcement – as evidenced by the TruckPol, a part of the UK’s Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service – is another significant part of the equation.
Sussex Transport is well aware of the need for security and vigilance when transporting goods; we take care to ensure our client’s products are securely stored in our warehouse (if appropriate) and our trucks are regularly checked during journeys to ensure safe transit.
