This paper identifies patterns and trends in cargo theft by analysing seasonal

variations (by time of year and time of week) in the relationship between value

(reported stolen value) and various reported modi operandi. This research is exploratory

in nature; it is based on theories derived from criminology and logistics as well as

secondary data related to cargo theft. For practical purposes, the research is geographically

limited to EMEA; however, the frame of reference is applicable to the analysis of

antagonistic threats to transport worldwide. Though patterns differ across categories,

for some modi operandi, seasonal patterns are found across both months of the year and

days of the week. Despite variations in hot spots, incident categories, stolen and

endangered objects, and handling methods, the basic theoretical framework is generally

applicable. This research is limited by the content and classificatory scheme of the TAPA

EMEA IIS database. However, this is the best available database and it contains anonymous

reports that are mainly from TAPA member companies that are in the industry itself.