Rising freight crime across the UK has prompted a closer alliance between the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA EMEA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA). TAPA EMEA and BIFA have strengthened their partnership to address a UK freight crime surge. The two industry bodies have exchanged Associate Partner memberships and will collaborate on intelligence-sharing and security measures to protect members’ operations.
The move comes as cargo theft figures remain stubbornly high. In the two years to 30 September 2025, TAPA EMEA’s Intelligence System recorded over 137,000 cargo crime incidents across more than 110 countries in EMEA, including 5,865 in the UK. Although only 9% of UK incidents reported a loss value, these still amounted to goods worth more than €72m. Major UK cargo crimes with losses above €100,000 averaged a significant €775,736.
Legislative context
The partnership is being developed as political attention on freight crime increases. A proposed Freight Crime Bill, sponsored by The Rt Hon Rachel Taylor MP, is due for second reading this Friday, 28 November 2025. It follows an All-Party Parliamentary Group report estimating freight-related crime cost the UK economy £700m in 2023.
“Freight crime is a major concern for TAPA EMEA members in the UK, which consistently ranks in the top five countries in our Europe, Middle East & Africa region for recorded cargo thefts,” said Harry Hughes, TAPA EMEA’s UK Regional Lead. “We are, therefore, greatly encouraged by the increased collaboration between UK freight, logistics, road haulage, and law enforcement bodies to find effective ways to prevent these types of incidents from occurring, and to reduce freight crime’s significant financial impact on individual businesses, consumers, and the UK economy.”
Criminal lowlifes are a high priority
Freight crime seems endemic across the world. Incidents can be as serious as heavily armed piracy on the high seas, where the vessel is often the target, but the cargo is a collateral casualty. They can also be whole train consignment thefts. In parts of North America, intermodal trains, moving slowly in urban areas, have been looted by opportunist thieves. The UK sees truck drivers singled out for criminal attention, with the distressing experience of slashed curtainside trailers an all too common sight. Less frequently, whole trailers (and sometimes tractor units too) have been stolen.
In the UK, Harry Hughes said the association would use its security standards, training, and intelligence tools to help operators harden their supply chains. “Working alongside BIFA and other industry partners, TAPA EMEA is part of the solution,” he said. “We aim to leverage our supply chain security standards, training, and intelligence tools to help freight companies in the UK make their supply chains as secure and resilient as possible against the types of attacks we know are regularly taking place nationwide.”
Industry collaboration
BIFA’s leadership says the closer ties reflect the industry’s need to coordinate its response. “This cooperation underscores BIFA’s commitment to promoting safety, reducing freight crime, and supporting the authorities in their work,” said Steve Parker, director general of BIFA. “Collaboration is key to tackling freight crime effectively. Our cooperation with TAPA EMEA comes a few months after we strengthened our sponsorship and work with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service [NaVCIS].”
Parker said the combined input of TAPA EMEA and NaVCIS will help members adopt targeted security measures. “The collaboration with both TAPA EMEA and NaVCIS will help to ensure that our extensive corporate membership base stay informed about current risks and take proactive steps to protect their operations. By working with both organisations, BIFA will be able to help its members implement targeted security measures, contributing to safer and more resilient supply chains,” he added.
Security standards and intelligence tools
TAPA EMEA will support joint efforts through its suite of certified security standards. Its Facility Security Requirements (FSR), Trucking Security Requirements (TSR), Parking Security Requirements (PSR), and Cyber Security Standard (CSS) are developed by a membership of over 1,100 companies spanning manufacturers, logistics providers, insurers, parking operators, security firms, and law enforcement agencies. These standards are now used in 67 countries across the Europe, Middle East and Asia region.
The association’s TIS database, which captured the latest crime figures, provides members with detailed intelligence on cargo theft patterns, methods used by criminals, targeted products, and associated losses. Both organisations say the strengthened cooperation will help freight operators take more proactive steps to protect their supply chains across all modes.