TAPA warns global downturn will lead to increase in cargo crime

According to TAPA’s Incident Information Service (IIS) for the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region, just over 10% of crimes reported in 32 countries in EMEA were classified as ‘major incidents’. More than 72%, representing 2,720 incidents, were from the UK, with Spain and Germany following in second and third place with 254 and 207 reported thefts. In addition, 1,775 incidents of truck theft were reported involving empty vehicles.

“The figures we are starting to see for 2008 reinforce our message that no-one can afford to be complacent about cargo crime,” said Gilad Solnik, IIS lead for TAPA EMEA.

He added that the sharing of crime data, market intelligence and co-operation with law enforcement agencies had resulted in TAPA members seeing a reduction in their overall losses, especially compared to the rest of the industry. However, Solnik said that TAPA expects the level of threat to increase considerably as a direct result of the economic downturn.