Freight crime in Italy has seen a significant rise, with incidents of theft quadrupling since 2021, according to a report from international freight insurer TT Club, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), and business improvement consultants BSI SCREEN.
The report underscores the growing threat to Italy’s supply chain, driven by sophisticated methods employed by organised criminal groups.
The analysis highlights several key trends. Insurance claims related to freight theft have risen by more than 400% over the past two years. Nearly one-third of these claims stem from thefts at insecure or roadside parking locations, while Lombardy emerges as the region with the highest rates of cargo theft.
The study also points to a notable lack of secure parking in Italy, with only one secure parking space available for every 289 trucks. Additionally, cargo theft from rail is on the rise, and there is an emerging trend of drones being used by criminals to scout potential targets.
The report identifies Italy’s prominence as a target for freight theft due to its market for luxury and designer goods. High-value items such as clothing, apparel, and pharmaceuticals are noted as the most frequently targeted commodities.
Josh Finch (pictured above), logistics risk manager at TT Club, commented on the broader trend of cargo theft globally, stating that highways and industrial hubs are particularly vulnerable.
“The statistics clearly highlight the key issue: cargo at rest, insecurely parked, parked on the roadside, around these main intersections, is most at risk,” Finch said.
Panayiotis Laimos, standards and training support at TAPA EMEA, emphasised the need for secure parking solutions.
“At TAPA, we create standards that focus on all risks within an end-to-end supply chain risk mitigation model,” Laimos said. “We must focus on a ‘goods at rest are goods at risk’ strategy and combine people and technology on the best way.”
The report also details the increasing use of drones as reconnaissance tools by criminal groups. Finch explained that drones can operate for extended periods, allowing thieves to identify vulnerabilities in facilities, such as the placement of security cameras or guard stations.
In some instances, drones have even entered warehouses through open bay doors, enabling criminals to gather detailed information about stored goods.
In addition to outlining the challenges, the report provides guidance for mitigating theft risks. Recommendations include the use of drone-disabling technology, radio frequency jammers, secure parking solutions, and robust due diligence processes.
Finch emphasised the importance of sharing data and insights to help the logistics industry combat cargo theft and minimise losses.
The report calls for continued collaboration and innovation to address the dynamic and evolving risks facing the global supply chain. TT Club and its partners noted that they remain focused on providing tools and strategies to help the industry mitigate both large-scale and incremental losses caused by cargo theft.
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