Cargo Theft Patterns Shift Away From Moving Targets

The risk of theft from storage facilities has increased over the last few months in the United States, according to a report from freight insurance company TT Club and business improvement and standards firm BSI.

The changes in theft patterns from the same quarter a year ago show a trend away from ‘on the move’ targets to locations where cargo is temporarily stored and delivered, the report found.

These locations include traditional warehouses and depots where containers and trailers are held to await collection.

Many of these warehouses and depots are temporary facilities in ports and lack adequate security, the report said.

The report found that the largest rise in methods and locations for cargo theft was from facilities, with the percentage of the total spiking to 25% in the third quarter from just 7% in 2020. At the other end of the spectrum, theft of vehicles fell from 47% in 2020 to just 15%, and hijackings plummeted from 20% to 10%.