Despite technological advances and the development of various security systems, cargo theft during transport remains a serious global issue for the logistics sector and trade. According to data from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), the loss caused by cargo theft in Europe is estimated at a staggering €8.2 billion annually.

In addition to financial losses, the consequences for companies can include increased insurance costs and reduced customer trust. Moreover, there are situations where stolen goods simply cannot be compensated for, or at least not quickly enough. The French fashion house Balmain experienced this firsthand last September, just days before Paris Fashion Week, when it lost 50 items from its new collection. The luxury, designer, and unique clothing disappeared after thieves hijacked a truck en route from the airport to Balmain’s headquarters. Fortunately, according to media reports, the driver’s safety was not compromised.

Perpetrators use a variety of tactics in their criminal endeavors, many of which focus on “pre-theft theft,” specifically stealing sensitive information about the route and cargo contents. Once they obtain information about the goods and the vehicle that is a “suitable target,” they don’t shy away from using any method—employing deception to intercept and stop the truck, cutting tarpaulins, and even conducting thefts while the vehicle is in motion.

Yes, you read that right: although it sounds like the plot of an action movie, a few years ago, Europe was plagued by a gang of thieves who had developed a scheme to steal from trucks while they were driving on the highway. To pull this off, they used multiple vehicles that would move in front of and alongside the truck, effectively controlling it. The main car would then approach the “victim,” and criminals would jump out through the sunroof, climb onto the hood, and reach the lock at the back of the truck, break it, and quickly transfer the goods to their vehicle (usually electronics). It seemed that the authorities had put a stop to them—Romanian thieves, dubbed acrobats and stuntmen by the media, were sentenced in 2022 to prison for several major thefts they had committed. Just as this unusual event was beginning to fade from memory, two new cases of theft from moving trucks were reported in the Netherlands in June of this year!

Thieves Are Indiscriminate: They Steal Money, Bicycles, Phones, Tools…

In 2023 alone, TAPA recorded over 50,000 cargo thefts in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). However, these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt: law enforcement agencies in each country maintain their statistics, and companies have no obligation to report incidents to the TAPA system, as everything is on a voluntary basis. The association believes that this (huge) number is just a small part of the real problem.

The majority of cargo transport in Europe is done by road, making road safety and theft prevention a top priority. Although goods are at risk at all points in the supply chain (in warehouses, at the origin, or destination, etc.), according to TAPA data, an average of 80% of thefts occur from trucks or trailers. In the European Union, road cargo crime is one of the main threats to the principles of free movement of goods.

When it comes to truck transport, fuel theft from tanks is by far the most common target, with the majority of reported thefts involving such situations. Regarding goods that attract the attention of criminals, while cigarettes and consumer electronics were primarily targeted in the past, today the only rule is—there are no rules. In addition to phones, televisions, precious metals, jewelry, and valuable watches, musical instruments, tools, vehicle parts, tires, bicycles (which have become especially “attractive” since the pandemic), clothing, and cash are also stolen. A notable case from May 2024 involved the theft of a refrigerated truck transporting meat from a parking lot in Ireland, even though perishable goods are traditionally not the first choice for thieves.

How to Prevent Cargo Theft?

Enhanced security measures, as well as continuous training for drivers and other participants in transport, are now considered key prerequisites for combating this growing problem. The most significant tools available to companies today in the fight against cargo crime include:

• Modern tracking technologies: The installation of GPS devices and other tracking technologies allows for real-time monitoring of vehicles and cargo.
• Security cameras and alarm systems: Installing alarm systems on vehicles, including motion sensors, can deter potential thieves and enable quick notification of authorities.
• Stronger physical protection: Using advanced security locks, reinforced doors, and other tools makes it harder for criminals to access the goods.
• Route planning systems: Sophisticated routing systems allow for the avoidance of high-risk areas, which can reduce exposure to theft; these systems also provide information about secure parking locations, which is especially important given that many thefts occur during parking in suspicious locations.
• Communication systems: Regular communication between drivers and the company, as well as coordination with local law enforcement, can help quickly respond to suspicious activities and potential threats.
• Regular training for drivers and other personnel: Employees in transport must be trained to recognize unusual activities and know how to react in case of suspected theft attempts—this is crucial not only to protect property but also, most importantly, to safeguard human life and health.