CARGO CRIME HOTSPOT


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About the Author


Screenshot from Risk Intelligence showing Milton Keynes cargo theft Hotspot area and the LandRisk-Logistics Parking Area Assessment for the Red Lion Truckstop (a TAPA PSR Level 3 site).


When looking at the security and potential for a cargo theft incident at a truck parking area, we assess 3 factors.


1. Local Threat


When assessing the threat, we look at the incident history at a site and within a 50km radius within the last 6 months. We assess the capability and intent demonstrated by the criminals during all incidents. This includes the resources at their disposal, the knowledge, and skills they demonstrated when committing thefts as well as the level of organisation they required to be successful in their attacks.


We also gauge their level of intent by looking at the nature, scale and sometimes the audacity of incidents to give us an idea of their degree of motivation and confidence. Importantly we also assess the threat or use of violence against the driver.


2. Vulnerability


We look at the vulnerability of the parking areas themselves based on the presence or absence of security measures at site, in essence a security survey. We look at access controls for vehicles and pedestrians, fencing, gates, lighting, and CCTV coverage, and if the sites have a security accreditation from TAPA, ESPORG, the EU or the old LABEL project.


3. Site Attractiveness


It is obviously hard to predict where the next cargo theft incident will take place. So, we try


to put ourselves in the shoes of the criminals and understand what makes a site attractive for cargo theft. Utilising an ‘outside-in’ approach, we look at the site from the criminal perspective.


We know that most criminals will conduct surveillance before acting so we look at the opportunities for this. We consider the degree of natural or ‘friendly’ surveillance at site. We look at how accessible the parking area is, and whether criminals can park near to trucks to make the theft of large loads easier.


Obviously, a larger site has more potential targets which may also be a factor when criminals are selecting targets. We look at the ability of the criminals to escape if detected, the security barriers they would have to overcome, and the proximity of escape routes. Finally, we look at the likelihood that the criminals may be identified during their attacks, which may obviously deter them.


We then use a combination of these factors to produce a site risk level which is automatically updated to cater for fluctuating incident levels and changes in the local threat dynamics.


As I witnessed on my road trip across Denmark, evidence of the problem of cargo theft is everywhere. Fortunately, the industry is getting better at countering this – and data-driven analysis is key. It allows you to plan your route and prepare your vehicles to handle the complex and ever-changing security challenges for logistics .


Kristian Bischoff is Europe and Russia analyst at Risk Intelligence, as well as having a focus on emerging technological threats like cyber and electronic warfare. Kristian has previously served in the Danish Army and worked with analysis and physical security in international NGOs and emergency response organisations. He has also participated in the Danish Atlantic Treaty Association, a Copenhagen- based think-tank researching issues on international security.


Risk Intelligence offers global risk intelligence and near real-time threat alerts 24/7 as well as lane threat assessments and route planning, and enables fast reaction time and alternative route assessment with incident alerts and on-the-road browser access. riskintelligence.eu


EXAMPLES OF LOSSES


Cargo losses reported to TAPA EMEA’s Incident Information Service (IIS) in Milton Keynes in the past 18 months include:


• €675,054 – Computers/Laptops • €221,844 – Clothing & Footwear


• €150,586 – Furniture/Household Appliances


• €98,865 – Computers/Laptops


Other products reported stolen to TAPA’s IIS in Milton Keynes included Food & Drink, Cosmetics & Hygiene, Toys & Games, and thefts of trucks and or trailers with no loads.


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