Oakland International is renewing its urgent call for stronger industry and government intervention after new evidence revealed in its comprehensive report, Distress Loads and Clandestine Infiltration of Commercial Vehicles, confirmed the scale and severity of challenges facing the UK supply chain.
The report sets out stark warnings about the growing number of incidents in which commercial vehicles are infiltrated by migrants attempting to cross borders, leading to significant threats to food safety, driver welfare, and the overall integrity of UK trade and logistics.
Drawing on extensive operational data, industry insight and regulatory perspectives, it paints a clear picture of an issue that has too often been misunderstood or overlooked.
Oakland’s findings underline the urgent need for a joined-up response, with responsibility shared across hauliers, retailers, regulators, enforcement authorities and government. Each incident not only places drivers in extremely stressful and sometimes dangerous situations but also results in huge losses for businesses. Stock values within infiltrated trailers vary widely and, in many cases, the consequential loss of revenue due to downtime, customer penalties, and lost contracts far exceeds the initial stock value.
Once a load is compromised, it is no longer possible to guarantee the safety, hygiene, or traceability of products inside the vehicle. For food businesses operating under strict compliance regimes, this almost inevitably means stock must be condemned, generating not only substantial financial losses but also significant food waste.
Oakland International Co-Founder Dean Attwell stated: “Sadly compromised loads remain a regular occurrence across the UK supply chain, with clandestine infiltration a particularly urgent issue.
“Research we commissioned (Distress Loads and Clandestine Infiltration of Commercial Vehicles) and published earlier this year shows that existing detection technology and border checks are falling short, with Border Force inspecting only a small proportion of inbound trailers. So, the true scale of infiltration, and the associated food safety risk, is likely far higher than reported figures suggest.
“We urgently need clear accountability, better border security, and coordinated protocols across the food supply chain.”
The report also highlights a continuing imbalance in how accountability for these incidents is distributed. Trade bodies the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) have expressed concern that, despite systemic failings identified at the border, responsibility almost always falls heavily on hauliers, logistics businesses, and drivers themselves, even where they have taken all reasonable steps to secure their vehicles.
A single compromised load can set businesses back tens of thousands of pounds, factoring in wasted product, regulatory risk, disposal costs, and reputational impact.
In parallel with leading calls for systemic reform, Oakland has expanded its own operational capacity to deal with rising activity. Through its BRCGS accredited, EHO approved Distress Load Management (DLM) service, Oakland supports suppliers and retailers by assessing threatened loads, quarantining compromised goods, and recovering safe product that meets compliance standards. Typically, Oakland’s service can recover over 85% of stock from an infiltrated trailer, preventing wastage while ensuring non-conforming goods are securely destroyed under regulatory control.
By reducing the impact of an incident, Oakland’s DLM service provides resilience to both food manufacturers and retailers and ensures the supply chain can keep operating even under difficult circumstances. However, as Dean Attwell warns, while mitigation is important the core problem will only be solved through stronger and more coherent prevention.
“We are witnessing a perfect storm, desperate individuals risking their lives to cross borders, criminals exploiting vulnerabilities in vehicle security, and a food industry struggling to maintain safety and compliance. Without robust action from all sides, the UK risks long term damage to both food security and the reputation of its supply chain.”
The consequences extend beyond the food industry. Distress load incidents result in delayed shipments, reputational damage for transport providers, stressed and vulnerable drivers, and rising insurance premiums. For retailers, the loss of loads means lost sales and potential disruption to shelves. For government, it is a matter of border control and public confidence.
Oakland’s report also recognises the continuing role that food redistribution charities play in ensuring that edible stock never goes to waste. Partnerships with organisations such as FareShare and City Harvest London mean that stock unaffected by infiltration but caught up in distress load incidents can still provide meals for vulnerable people. This represents an important opportunity to connect logistics resilience with positive social impact.
Dean added: “Every trailer lost to infiltration is a blow to our industry, to our drivers, and ultimately to the British public. It is a waste of food, a drain on resources, and in many cases a risk to public health.
“We call on all stakeholders – hauliers, retailers, regulators, and policymakers, to act with urgency and resolve. Oakland International stands ready to support the industry with our expertise in managing distress loads, but we cannot do it alone. This must become a national priority.”
Oakland International Ltd
t: 01527 596 222
e: sales@oakland-international.com
w: www.oakland-international.com
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