Freight crime in Italy has surged dramatically, with theft incidents quadrupling in the past two years, according to a report by TT Club, BSI SCREEN, and TAPA EMEA.
The rise in theft is primarily driven by organized crime, which employs increasingly sophisticated methods to target high-value goods such as luxury clothing, apparel, and pharmaceuticals. Italy’s reputation for luxury goods and its extensive supply chain networks make it a prime target, particularly around highways and industrial hubs where unsecured cargo is most vulnerable.
The report highlights:
- More than 400% increase in the frequency of insurance claims since 2021
- Nearly a third of claims arising from theft from vehicles parked insecurely or at the roadside
- The region of Lombardy as the region with the highest rates of cargo theft
- Significant lack of secure parking with only one space per 289 trucks
- Notable increase in cargo theft from rail
- Emerging trend of drone usage by criminals to investigate possible target sites
We are seeing the same trends across the board, with major highways and industrial hubs becoming key targets for criminals. The statistics clearly highlight the key issue: cargo at rest, unsecurely parked, parked on the roadside, around these main intersections, is most at risk.
… said Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager at TT Club
According to the Safety and Shipping Review 2024, there has been a significant rise in cargo theft in recent years, with a change in the goods being targeted and increasingly sophisticated tactics used by criminals.
Key challenges include a lack of secure parking facilities, leaving cargo at rest exposed to theft. Criminal groups are also leveraging advanced tools like drones for reconnaissance, using them to identify vulnerabilities in warehouses and parking areas. These drones provide criminals with critical information about security measures, enabling targeted thefts.
We must focus on a ‘goods at rest are goods at risk’ strategy and combine people and technology on the best way.
… noted Panayiotis Laimos of TAPA EMEA
To address these threats, the report emphasizes preventative measures such as adopting drone-disabling technology, enhancing secure parking options, and employing due diligence throughout the supply chain. By spotlighting these risks and solutions, TT Club and its partners aim to help the logistics industry better combat the evolving tactics of freight criminals and mitigate potential losses.
