Cargo Theft Continues To Rise
Surveys show cargo theft was higher this September than in July and August, continuing the trend of increasing incidents.
At the end of July, we published an article about the rising issue of cargo theft in America. This was a worrying trend and it was unsure whether it would continue to increase or drop across the country.
It appears now to be a rising trend.
According to Overhaul, a cargo protection and tracking service provider based in Austin, Texas, theft is still increasing across the States. This is a severe issue for the industry, as it affects not only businesses’ wallets but, more importantly, the safety of their workers.
In September, Overhaul reported a notable increase in theft incidents involving armed criminals and violence targeting truck drivers, particularly in North Carolina and Maryland.
Areas Most Affected By Cargo Theft
Based on Overhaul’s report, the primary hotspots for theft were as follows:
- Southern California
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Kansas City
Cargo crimes peaked at the beginning of the month and decreased in the last three days. Additionally, 63% of incidents occurred from Tuesday to Thursday.
What Was Being Stolen?
Electronics were the main items stolen in September. Most of these incidents occurred in California, which made up 53% of the incidents recorded. The two most common ways these thefts occurred were the theft of a full truckload (30%) and last-mile courier events (28%). Cargo and shipments left unattended at warehouses, distribution centers, and delivery destinations were hit the hardest and most often by these crimes.
Overhaul had this to say about their overall findings:
“Comparisons with July and August reveal that September experienced higher theft levels, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities within the supply chain. As we enter the final quarter of the year, current trends indicate that this pattern may persist, potentially leading to increases in certain methods of operation as well.”
Hopefully, a further increase will not be the case, but this remains to be seen.
Stay safe out there!
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