Member

My second amendment in this group would require the Government to publish a rail freight crime code. Freight crime has become one of the most serious threats facing the logistics sector. From thefts at motorway service areas to violent attacks on drivers, organised criminal gangs are deliberately targeting freight operations. The impact is indeed severe, with freight crime costing the UK economy over £1 billion since 2020, including £111.5 million-worth of goods stolen in 2024 alone, many of which were high-value electrical items. On average, each incident results in £20,000 of lost stock and £2,000 of vehicle damage, with some large-scale attacks reaching up to £5 million. Drivers are being threatened, assaulted and driven from the industry, worsening retention and recruitment challenges at a time when the UK needs logistic capacity more than ever.