Metal Thefts Spiking in 2012

 FreightWatch has recorded 34 metal thefts year-to-date in 2012, averaging 12 per month.  In 2011, there were 78 recorded metal thefts, at a rate of 6.5 thefts per month.   The near doubling of the metal theft rate seen thus far in 2012 is certainly cause for shippers to take notice and ensure their in-transit security policies are reviewed and mitigate the risk of theft.   Additionally, between Thursday, March 15 and Saturday, March 17, six loads of metal were stolen in Illionois (4) and Texas (2), four of which were copper loads.  The average value of the six losses was $155,500.