The $1.6 billion annual loss from trucks due to cargo theft in Germany has spurred 13 German business associations to begin a joint initiative to fight the problem and call on law enforcement to support their efforts.
The Theft Prevention in Freight Transport and Logistics Working Group plans to promote investments in locating technology, anti-theft alarm systems, immobilizers and secured parking spaces.
International anti-theft alliance Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) reported that cargo is stolen from almost 26,000 trucks every year in Germany. Besides the value of the theft, losses of $1.1 billion are incurred due to penalties for delayed deliveries, shipment replacement costs and vehicle damage repair.
The TAPA report found that much of cargo theft in Germany goes unrecorded, and many incidents involve trucks that are registered and insured in other European countries. Also, German law enforcement agencies do not keep their own cargo crime statistics.
The working group is asking law enforcement to put heightened pressure on international theft rings, increase their presence at highway service stations and streamline transnational enforcement. Further, the German group is asking police to improve their cargo theft records and move toward a nationwide, uniform reporting of cargo crime.
TAPA operates three branches worldwide — Americas, Europe and Africa, and Asia Pacific. TAPA Americas is based in Boca Raton, Fla., and its members include manufacturers, shippers, carriers, insurers, service providers, and law enforcement and government agencies.
