Cargo theft is increasing rapidly

The number of freight thefts in European road transport increased last year by more than 35% compared to 2022.

This article was translated into English. The original article was written by Yannick De Spiegeleir on May 16, 2024, for Flows. You can read the original here: https://www.flows.be/transport/2024/05/ladingdiefstal-neemt-in-sneltempo-toe/?gdpr=accept

The number of reported crimes in the European Union increased last year from 6,113 to 8,281. Across the entire EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), the number of cargo thefts has increased by almost 700% in 2023: from 13,008 to 103,529 incidents.

Cargo theft is a problem that costs the industry hundreds of millions of euros every year and significantly disrupts supply chains. The total loss for all crimes in the European Union, where the value of stolen goods was reported, amounted to €549 million. That is an increase of 438% compared to 2022 and by no less than 1,076% compared to 2021.

Due to high inflation
In Belgium alone, 78 incidents of cargo theft were reported in 2023, accounting for 0.9% of the total number of incidents in the EU. Most incidents in 2023 occurred in Germany (33.2% of all reported thefts), France (14.6%) and Italy (13.1%).

In a recently published report on theft in the transport sector for 2023, the authors of BSI and TT Club indicate that high inflation is the main macroeconomic factor affecting freight-related crime.

Olive oil
In their report they also cite a number of cases such as an increase in the theft of olive oil in Southern Europe as a result of the poor harvest and the sharply rising price of oil.