The logistics security services provider, FreightWatch International, has issued a Thanksgiving Holiday Awareness bulletin about cargo thefts.

It notes year after year the holiday shipping season shows an increase in cargo theft risks for transportation companies, shippers and manufacturers.  

“Over the past three Thanksgiving holiday weekends the industry has experienced 10.5 thefts per day, more than three times the annual average of 2.6 thefts per day throughout those years,” said FreightWatch. “Additionally, during this time, electronics and clothing/shoes rise up on the thieves’ wish lists in a three way tie with the ever popular category of food/drinks for the most targeted product type.”

It warns organized theft rings are active and they understand increased supply chain volume translates into more shipments. “Logistics and security professionals need to ensure security protocols are up to date and in line with industry best practices for both in transit and warehouse operations. Both will be heavily targeted over the holiday,” said FreightWatch. “Covert GPS tracking with an active monitoring program is vital to mitigate threat and an invaluable asset to the recovery process in the event of a theft.”

FreightWatch points to several notable cargo theft that took place during the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday as reason for taking precautions:

• November 21, full truckload of 3D televisions and Blu-ray players stolen in California.

• November 22, over $550,000 dollars worth of infant formula was stolen from an unsecured lot in Texas.

• November 24, $540,000 dollars in copper stolen in Illinois.

• November 25, full truckload theft of clothing in New Jersey.

• November 25, full truckload theft of computer memory chips from Illinois.

Georgia, which usually ranks fifth as the most dangerous cargo theft state, comes in second during the Thanksgiving weekend, with activity centered around the major interstate highway hub of Atlanta, according to FreightWatch.