At the Champoux parking areas in the Doubs region near the Swiss border, thieves have been operating at night, exploiting drivers’ rest periods and the lack of effective supervision. On the night of 4 February, two trucks — one Polish and one Czech — were broken into. From the Polish semi-trailer, six car batteries worth around €1,000 were stolen, while the second vehicle lost six hair straighteners valued at approximately €200.
A few days earlier, cargo worth around €4,000 was stolen from the same location, according to transport portal Les Routiers. The incidents suggest that thieves are not only targeting high-value loads, but also goods of relatively low worth, increasing the risk for drivers regardless of cargo type.
The Doubs gendarmerie has warned that such incidents are recurring and has called on carriers and drivers to remain particularly vigilant.
High-value thefts and fuel siphoning
More serious thefts were reported earlier along the same motorway. On the night of 29–30 January, 154 pool vacuum cleaners worth an estimated €40,000 were stolen from the Marchaux parking area near Besançon.
During the same night, officers from the École-Valentin motorised gendarmerie unit also intervened following fuel thefts from two trucks. Around 1,700 litres of fuel were siphoned in total.
In all cases, formal complaints were lodged and investigations have been launched to determine how the thefts were carried out without alerting drivers or cargo owners.
A structural security problem
These incidents are not isolated but reflect a wider, systemic issue affecting international road transport. Cargo thieves often target parking areas with limited surveillance or a minimal on-site presence, while drivers, constrained by driving-time rules, are frequently forced to rest in locations that do not guarantee the security of their vehicles or cargo.
The recurring thefts along the A36 once again highlight the ongoing shortage of secure truck parking and the growing risks faced by drivers during mandatory rest periods.
