NMU partners with NaVCIS Freight to support national crime-prevention efforts

NMU is proud to announce a strategic partnership with National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) to support their ongoing efforts in tackling cargo and freight crime in the UK.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to safeguarding cargo and ensuring the security of supply chains. Entirely funded by industry, NaVCIS are renowned for their expertise in intelligence and proactive crime prevention and will continue to play a pivotal role in fortifying the defence against the rising challenges of cargo theft.

The issue at hand, and the response

The movement of freight and cargo is crucial to our national infrastructure. Blockages or thefts in the supply chain can have a significant impact. Highly desirable cargo is regularly targeted by organised criminal gangs, with theft costing buyers, sellers, and movers of goods millions of pounds every year. Data from NaVCIS shows that 80% of cargo crime reported to them in 2023 was theft of goods directly from a vehicle, mostly through curtain slashes (30% of offences) or padlock cuts (24% of offences).

NMU, with over 40 years of underwriting and risk management expertise, has identified NaVCIS as a highly valued partner to the UK freight and haulage industry. NaVCIS Freight gathers and analyses national cargo crime data and intelligence, looking for trends and identifying tactics to support cross-border investigations that pursue offenders and prevent criminal efforts in a proactive manner. During 2023, NaVCIS received more than 600 calls for service from the UK haulage sector and assisted with 325 arrests for UK cargo theft related offences and supported 48 cargo crime policing operations.

Ian Allman, NMU, Risk Control Manager said, “I have been a strong supporter of NaVCIS for many years and we are delighted NMU is able to formally announce our partnership. Their work uncovers the many ways organised criminal gangs operate and without NaVCIS, cargo crime in the UK would paint a very different picture. While cargo theft will not disappear, their insight can identify specific cargo crime hotspots which helps to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity. By combining this intelligence with their proactive collaboration with UK Government, police and insurers, NaVCIS has a significant impact in preventing losses for our clients. That is where the real value in our partnership lies.”

NMU Cargo and Freight Underwriting Manager, Dean Gribben, comments on the partnership:

“Placing our customers at the heart of our thinking is a core part of our NMU values. NaVCIS have an essential role in the safeguarding of our policyholders’ property while it moves through the supply chain, providing invaluable intelligence and trending methods of attack to the cargo and freight industry. NMU’s partnership will directly empower the NaVCIS teams to continue their vital work.”

DCI Brett Mallon, Head of National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), provides his comments:

“Freight crime is committed by clever and organised criminals across the world and the UK is no exception – however the UK is exceptional in its fight back. NaVCIS, together with industry partners such as NMU, keep UK police and government informed with current and detailed information and strategic options. Thanks to this partnership approach we see significant police resources and central funds devoted to combatting freight crime, with real and tangible effects.”