Logistics UK has announced a new partnership with TAPA EMEA, the Transported Asset Protection Association’s Europe, Middle East & Africa region, as freight crime continues to impact operators across the country.
Maddi Solloway-Price, Head of Road Freight Policy at Logistics UK, said: “The safety and security of our members’ staff while delivering for the economy is of paramount importance, which makes our partnership with TAPA EMEA such a great fit for us. 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.”
TAPA EMEA President & CEO Thorsten Neumann welcomed the collaboration. “Growing industry collaboration to highlight the threat of cargo crime to supply chains in the UK, and increasing awareness at a government level, is 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. 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,” he said.
The tie-up with TAPA EMEA follows other recent partnerships announced by Logistics UK, including agreements with NAVCiS (the National Vehicle Crime and Intelligence Service) and the Motorway Buddy app, both designed to improve crime reporting and raise awareness among drivers.
“Logistics UK is redoubling its efforts to improve the safety and security of hauliers operating on the UK’s strategic road network,” Solloway-Price explained. “By improving information flows across the industry and sharing best practice to keep drivers and their vehicles as safe as possible. 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.”
As part of the new partnership, Logistics UK will attend TAPA EMEA’s annual conference to explore joint working opportunities. This follows recent round tables in London and Edinburgh with Rachel Taylor MP and representatives of the Scottish government, where members highlighted the challenges drivers face on UK roads.
“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,” added Solloway-Price. “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, underlined the stakes for operators. “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.”
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s largest business groups, representing a sector that employs more than seven million people in the making, selling, and moving of goods. The group campaigns on issues ranging from decarbonisation to driver welfare and represents members across road, rail, water and air, as well as retailers and manufacturers.
Founded in 1997, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is a not-for-profit association that helps manufacturers, shippers and logistics providers reduce supply chain losses caused by cargo theft. Its EMEA membership includes over 1,000 organisations spanning insurers, parking operators, security services and law enforcement, and offers certified security standards, training and intelligence systems to support supply chain resilience.