Centrad, one of the sector’s leading vehicle CCTV providers for HGVs, has suggested that AI camera technology could help detect and prevent thefts amid rising freight crime statistics.
With freight crime costing the UK £460 million last year, road freight thefts are on the rise according to the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).
Last year over 5,300 incidents were reported, costing an estimated £68 million, with popular consumer items such as alcohol, tobacco, and electricals, being among the most frequently stolen goods. Industry experts believe the reality of this figure could be up to seven times higher.
With tackling freight related crime high on the road haulage industry’s agenda, finding ways to combat against organised crime gangs from successfully intercepting and stealing valuable cargo is becoming crucial.
Geoff Cross, Managing Director of Centrad, which has partnered with some of the industry’s leading names, helping to source, install and retrofit camera solutions onto hundreds of fleets over the years, has advocated for increased adoption of vehicle CCTV camera systems inside HGV trailers to detect and prevent theft, monitor cargo integrity, and provide real-time evidence of any incidents.
Earlier this year, a lorry in Banbury, Warwickshire was broken into, and £1.1 million worth of goods were stolen, further highlighting the devastating cost freight crime has on the road haulage industry, customers and the economy.
Geoff commented: “Freight theft is on the rise and unfortunately these crimes are becoming increasingly difficult to fight against. The RHA calling on the government for freight theft to be seen as a specific offence and to impose tougher sentencing is imperative to deterring criminals, however, in the interim, there are measures which hauliers can put in place to protect their cargo and reduce the risk of theft.
“The emergence of AI has enabled camera systems to, in real-time, detect suspicious activities and unauthorised access attempts inside a trailer as well as automatically alert both drivers and operators to potential threats, track the movement of individuals near vehicles, and identify any unusual behaviour around an HGV. Essentially, through harnessing AI-powered CCTV cameras, hauliers can significantly enhance the security of their vehicles and cargo, offering a proactive approach to combating incidents of freight crime.
“HGV vehicles parked up at night are at their most vulnerable, and in many cases, it only takes criminals mere minutes to gain access therefore security needs to be airtight, and vigilance is imperative. AI camera technology gives operators a unique opportunity for drivers and back-office operatives to respond to such solicitous activity as it’s happening, as they’ll be able to clearly see incursions or movements in real-time inside the trailer through live alerts and clear footage – enabling them to react accordingly. Drivers can also press a panic activation button which instantly sends out a notification and footage via the portal, triggering a loud alarm that alerts the back-office team to a potential emergency.
Alongside this, such technology could be also used to identify in real-time the presence of stowaways that attempt at breaking into, and concealing themselves, in the back of lorries with a view to illegally entering the country.
Last year the previous government introduced harsher fines to both hauliers and drivers caught knowingly or unknowingly transporting stowaways into the country, increasing the penalties from £2,000 per stowaway to £10,000.
Geoff continued: “While tighter controls being imposed by the UK government at French ports, on the Eurostar and Eurotunnel have resulted in a reduction in stowaway cases over the past decade, they still pose a significant risk to both drivers and hauliers.
“AI camera systems have facial recognition capabilities and can alert both drivers and transport operators in real-time if a stowaway is detected entering, or is inside a trailer, allowing them to contact the authorities as a break-in is happening. These again be tactfully installed inside a trailer, offering total view along the interior, providing an additional layer of security and helping to prevent illegal entry into the country and protect hauliers from hefty fines which have already hit so many across the sector.
“Tightening security measures is clearly vital in this day and age for hauliers, and with the increasing adoption of AI-powered camera systems, there is a promising pathway to achieving this. As the technology evolves, we believe it will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in the industry’s fight against theft and unauthorised access and become an indispensable tool in reducing incidents of crime in the coming years.”
