Industry group pushes for secure truck stops in Europe

The Transported Asset Protection Association has presented a plan to the European Commission for increasing the number of secure parking locations for commercial trucks and their drivers in order to reduce cargo theft.    The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), whose mission is to prevent cargo losses from the supply chain, has presented a plan to the European Commission for increasing the number of secure parking locations for commercial trucks and their drivers.
   According to TAPA data, more than 86 percent of all recorded cargo theft in Europe, the Middle East and Africa last year involved trucks. In many cases, criminals just steal the cargo, but often steal the trailer or the entire truck as well. The organization said it also recorded 60 cases of driver hijackings.
   In 57 percent of more than 800 vehicle thefts, the crime took place in unsecured parking areas, TAPA said.
   The association said its aim is to identify secure parking places through certification, partnership and mutual recognition. It will recognize existing secure parking locations and encourage other parking site operators to update the security of their locations to attract new business. TAPA is building a new online tool for its manufacturer and logistics service provider members that will incorporate a route planner, a secure parking locator, site information and contact details, as well as an incident history overlay showing the locations of previous cargo crimes reported to TAPA on the routes companies are planning to use.
   The online tool will also provide an opportunity for feedback from TAPA members, drivers, parking owners and law enforcement agencies.
   In Phase 1, there will be three ways for parking site owners to join the new secure parking program, which include:
     • A self-certification entry level with TAPA conducting sample audits of these sites;
     • Signing of an annual Partner Declaration to confirm the security requirements stated in the TAPA program are in place;
     • And through mutual recognition by TAPA of parking place operators that have met the requirements of other organizations with TAPA pre-approved and accredited parking security schemes.
   Phase 2 will see the addition of a full certification program with audits carried out by independent audit bodies with recertification every three years. Parking operators will also be required to carry out annual self audits under the certification scheme, which will have three levels.