Theft from lorries? It’s highway robbery!

Commercial drivers have a difficult job at the best of times. Tight delivery schedules. Traffic congestion. Potholes and never-ending roadworks. Life on the open road isn’t always plain sailing. 

Of course, you could argue that it’s all part and parcel of the job. What’s not, though, is the risk they face of their loads being targeted by criminals and organised gangs keen to get their hands on the cargo they’re carrying. 

It’s not just expensive consumer goods such as top-end electronics and mobile phones that these hijackers are after.

Increasingly, everyday food items such as tins of tuna, baby formula, and alcohol are being targeted as these modern-day highwaymen steal goods that are then resold on the black market. 

A report by the i newspaper estimated that the cost of these thefts could be in the region of ￡700m a year although the true extent of the crime spree may never be fully known. 

A recent report by the British Standards Institution (BSI) found that food, pharmaceuticals and construction materials are among the most commonly targeted items by thieves with the theft of fuel also on the rise. 

And although hijacking has fallen as a proportion of cargo theft — from 24.4% to 17.0% — it continues to exert a real impact on global supply chains. 

Cargo theft is a security problem for fleet operators 

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is acutely aware of the problem citing recent thefts of 200,000 Cadbury’s Creme Eggs, worth ￡40,000, from an industrial estate in Telford and ￡5,000-worth of olive oil from a lorry in a lay-by near Doncaster.

In a statement, the RHA’s Policy Lead on Infrastructure and Operator Licensing Tom Cornwell said: “There is an increased focus on security in the industry at present, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis. 

“We are calling for facilities providers to look at the security at their sites and ensure that drivers are safe and feel safe when they visit. We have also pointed out that often the would-be criminals are organised and not always opportunistic.”

It’s an issue that Samsara also takes seriously. Our smart technology is used not only to keep lorries, vans and trailers safe while on the road, it’s also used in facilities such as depots and warehouses to ensure end-to-end security. 

Most importantly, though, it’s used to keep drivers safe as they carry out their important work knowing that they are in constant communication with fleet managers and other operational staff. 

Real-time GPS tracking

GPS tracking has been around for years allowing fleet managers to keep an eye on individual vehicles. Used to help to plot efficient routes, it has a vital role to play in security as well. Unlike other systems that are updated every minute or so, Samsara uses GPS technology to track the location of vehicles in real-time. 

And it is the real-time, cloud-centric infrastructure of Samsara’s platform that means managers get to see the whereabouts — and what’s happening — to their vehicles and their drivers at any time of the night or day regardless of location. 

And that’s important. When vehicle loads can be hijacked and cleared out in a matter of minutes, every second counts. Having a real-time cloud-based platform means managers can instantly identify when a driver and vehicle are at risk or in trouble. 

Sensors linked directly to the cloud can detect if doors are tampered with during a robbery, enhancing visibility and security. Samsara Cargo Monitors — wireless sensors that can be attached inside a trailer —  can detect when cargo is loaded or unloaded.  

Dash cams and other cameras located on a vehicle don’t just record what’s happening at any given time. They upload live video of incidents as they happen, giving managers eyes on the ground and vital seconds to respond to an incident and bring it to a safe and successful resolution.

The footage also forms essential evidence in any subsequent investigation and legal proceedings.

Protecting vehicles and other assets

And should the worst happen, drivers have access to a panic button — again linked to the cloud — to instantly alert their fleet managers of an incident. Not only does this send vital information such as the exact location, it activates cameras and microphones on the vehicle allowing the fleet manager to see and hear what is happening in real-time. After all, regardless of what items are being transported, the most important — and valuable – is the driver. 

Sometimes it’s the vehicles themselves that are the target of criminal activity, which is why vehicle tracking, geofencing and live alerts are designed to keep managers fully informed 24/7. 

If a vehicle enters or leaves a geofenced area, the smart technology sends an alert to the fleet manager. This helps prevent theft of vehicles or loads from specific locations. Engine immobilisers can also be operated remotely if a vehicle is being targeted. 

Vehicle theft is nothing new. Whether it’s criminals targeting the loads, the vehicles — or both — the gangs behind such crimes are increasingly becoming more organised. That’s why fleet managers and vehicle operators are increasingly turning to technology to help stem this crime wave.  

Most importantly, the technology helps protect drivers and gives them the reassurance they need while out on the road that someone is always looking out for them.