National Threat Assessment 2008. Organised Crime - Politie

Mainly native Dutch offender groups are involved in cargo theft; almost
all perpetrators are men. This pattern is confirmed by many sources, as well
as the regular involvement of criminals from trailer park circles.
A further notable characteristic of offenders is that in almost all investigations
a suspect was identified who knew his way around in the transport sector. Most
of them were drivers. This confirms the idea that cargo theft is an offence that
requires a certain level of expertise. Many suspects have criminal records. Apart
from criminal records for theft and handling stolen goods, over half of them also
have criminal records for violent crimes and traffic offences. Many of the thieves
in particular have a history of violence, which is surprising because cargo theft
hardly ever involves violence.
The degree of organisation of cargo theft varies. Sometimes the groups are
more or less permanent and sometimes the collaboration is temporary. The level
of professionalism of the groups is shown by their working method; they often
steal to order. The groups have contacts in the sector and are sufficiently
organised to fulfil these orders. The binding factor in a number of groups is their
common caravan camp background. In some cases these are family ties; in other
cases the members have a common country of origin. In general there is a set
division of duties among the members.
4.4.5 Consequences for Dutch society
The consequences of cargo theft for Dutch society are diverse and include not
only the direct financial loss as a result of the theft, but also indirect damage as
a result of absence due to illness, missing out on orders, damage to the vehicles
and loss of reputation. Some of these consequences can be expressed in terms
of money, but this is a lot more difficult for other consequences.
Various estimates of the financial loss are available and the amounts vary widely.
The Dutch Transport Operators Association (TLN) estimates the loss incurred
through lorry and cargo theft as at least 150 million euros per year. The
Foundation for Tackling Vehicle Crime estimates 360 million. The insurance
company TVM has calculated 400 to 600 million euros. In the Business
Community Crime Monitor, which is periodically drawn up by WODC, the loss
incurred by the transport sector in 2005 as a result of theft and burglaries is
estimated at € 43 million. This reflects the direct damage; indirect damage in
the form of consequential damage, liability, preventive measures, is not included
in these amounts. As a result, these amounts can best be described as a lower
limit. However, whatever the case may be, it is clear that the damage suffered
is considerable.
156 National Threat Assessment 2008 – Organised crime