Goods worth many billions of euros are moved on German roads every day.
According to Germany’s state department for the prevention of crime, the country is the focus of crime organised by gangs and is increasingly becoming an area of activity for international criminal gangs.
The police also say that perpetrators are not only stealing high-tech and luxury goods from trucks, but now also everyday items such as food, drinks and other consumer goods.
“Their [cargo thieves’] deeds are well planned: under certain circumstances, they steal complete articulated lorries. It is not uncommon for criminals to be involved in the transport chain and make their contribution by passing on information or by spying on and investigating crime objects and crime scenes,” says Germany’s state department for the prevention of crime.
Officers have listed some of the less obvious tactics that have been used by thieves.
In one example, it is said that cargo thieves may even wear the clothing of the company a trucker is due to deliver to, and then attempt to intercept and redirect the driver to another locations where the load shall be stolen.
Another technique involves the driver being told that there are currently no loading ramps available and that the load must be transferred to another truck immediately in order to avoid unnecessary delays. This can be tempting as the load can be shed immediately and it cuts waiting times.
The driver’s attention may also be drawn to an alleged damage to his own truck from an overtaking vehicle. After the truck stops, violence is used against the driver and the load is stolen.
On top of this, it is stated that well-organised criminal gangs are increasingly exploiting the anonymity of the internet. With fake identities and concessions, fraudsters in freight exchanges are pretending to be reputable entrepreneurs.
To reduce the chances of becoming a victim of cargo theft, business have been encouraged to do the following:
- Depending on the type of load and the route, use the right vehicle with the appropriate security systems.
- Protect confidential data in operation.
- Inform your employees unequivocally about compliance with safety standards.
- Make a safety assessment of your employees. (Not everyone is allowed to drive every good).
- Be wary of new subcontractors.
- Be careful if the balance between load, distance and price is not right.
- Demand consistent compliance with safety standards from subcontractors as well.
- Particular caution is required if subcontractors can only be reached via free e-mail addresses and only via mobile phone.
Meanwhile, drivers have been advised to take the following steps:
- During breaks in driving, never talk to strangers about the route, destination and load.
- Supposedly trivial conversations about transport routes and loads can be valuable information for the “other side”.
- Do not leave your vehicle unattended and look for well-lit and, if possible, guarded parking spaces for breaks.
- Check your vehicle and your load after each longer stop.
- Under no circumstances should you pick up hitchhikers.
- Arrange regular control reports with your forwarding agent at specified times and at specified locations.
- In the event of unforeseen deviations from the route or delivery address, always contact your forwarding agent.
- Keep important phone numbers, such as the police, freight forwarder, consulates, etc., to hand at all times.
- Report any suspicious perceptions to the nearest police station immediately.
Photo: GeorgDerReisende, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons