The security threat landscape for cargo and other property crime is constantly evolving, and criminals aren't afraid to get creative with their scams and schemes. According to a report from Overhaul, freight hubs and major cities in North America saw 49% more incidents of cargo theft in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The financial impact of these incidents is also on the rise. Overhaul reports that the average loss per cargo theft incident reached $115,230 in the first half of this year, which is an 83% increase over the first half of the previous year. This trend, they note, underscores how sophisticated and ambitious cargo thieves have become. California is the area most heavily impacted by these crimes, with 45% of reported cargo thefts happening in the state. The Southern California Red Zone, which is comprised of the first 200 miles of travel for shipments leaving the area, accounts for 36% of the cargo thefts in the country, averaging 58.6 thefts per month. "The increasing frequency and scale of cargo thefts make it clear that companies need more supply chain risk management and control over their shipments," Barry Conlon, CEO and founder of Overhaul, said in a release about the report. "Criminals are not only more organized, but they're also tracking loads as they leave warehouses and distribution centers known to store valuable products, waiting to strike when vehicles are left vulnerable." In the slideshow above, we'll look at five of the most prominent property and cargo theft trends happening in 2024, according to Amarok.

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