News / Tougher security pushes US cargo crime gangs towards lower-value loot

© Daniel Raustadt

Heightened security measures in the US means cargo thieves are targeting lower-value commodities.

A 38% dip in cargo crime, by value, was recorded by industry monitor FreightWatch International (FWI) and between July and September, the average value per theft dropped to $120,536.

The year-on-year decline came despite a 7% increase in cargo thefts in Q3, according to FWI’s quarterly cargo crime report.

“It is a continuing trend that thieves will avoid risk by targeting lower-value shipments that have less security procedures in place, and thereby compensate ...