To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether additional resources have been allocated to the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for freight crime and the Opal unit since their establishment.

This Government is highly aware of the rising frequency of freight crime and the significant and damaging impact it can have on businesses and drivers. We are determined to crack down on it.

We work closely with Opal. This includes equipping policing to tackle organised retail crime, including through a £5 million investment in OPAL which has multiple thematic desks, including a vehicle crime intelligence desk which covers freight crime. This will strengthen intelligence-led enforcement to identify offenders, disrupt criminal networks, and bring more perpetrators to justice.

We know that reducing freight crime cannot be achieved through legislation alone, and there is legislation in place that can be used including the Theft Act 1968 where offenders can receive up to 7 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The Department for Transport hosts the Freight Council. This group regularly discusses crime against freight companies, and the Home Office works closely with DfT to engage with the sector on this issue through the Freight Council.