The Surge in Courier Hijackings in the Wake of Increased Online Shopping

Background

The rise of online shopping has led to a significant increase in courier vehicle hijackings. As e-commerce expanded rapidly, particularly during the pandemic, the demand for home deliveries surged. According to World Wide Worx, online retail in South Africa doubled from 2018 to 2020, growing by 66% in 2020, 40% in 2021, and surpassing R50 billion in 2022. This growth has unfortunately made courier vehicles prime targets for hijackings by criminal syndicates and opportunistic thieves.

Nature of Courier Hijackings

Tracker, a leading vehicle tracking and stolen vehicle recovery company, reports that the lucrative nature of online deliveries has attracted various criminal activities, especially hijackings. Criminals target courier vehicles to seize delivered goods, cash, devices carried by drivers, or to commandeer the vehicles themselves.

Tracker’s latest fleet crime report reveals that 81% of hijacked loads involved fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as alcohol, clothing, groceries, parcels from online sales platforms, homeware, and medication. The methods used by criminals to hijack vehicles include:

• “Blue light gangs”

  : Using unmarked vehicles and impersonating law enforcement officers.

• Vehicle sabotage

  : Tampering with key features during routine stops, causing drivers to pull over later.

• Broken-down car scams

  : Forcing drivers to stop.

• Forced stops and diversions

  : Coercing drivers to stop through various means.

• Driver collusion

  : Some drivers collaborate with criminals, highlighting the need for rigorous background checks and robust organizational policies to deter insider threats.

Economic Impact

The economic impact of courier hijackings is significant, affecting the R435 billion South African freight and logistics market, which is projected to grow to R581 billion by 2029. Immediate losses from stolen cargo disrupt supply chains, delay delivery schedules, and increase costs for businesses and consumers. Additionally, heightened delivery costs and insurance premiums add financial strain on companies operating in high-risk areas.

Trends and Statistics

Tracker’s vehicle crime statistics from July to December 2023 indicate a rise in hijackings, peaking in November during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Business-owned vehicles are particularly vulnerable, being 56% more likely to experience vehicle crime compared to personal vehicles. Nationally, hijackings account for 55% of all vehicle crime incidents, with theft making up the remaining 45%. For business-owned vehicles, the hijacking-to-theft ratio is significantly skewed at 64:36.

Gauteng leads with the highest volume of business vehicle-related crime at 56%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (14%) and the Western Cape (13%). Gauteng also shows a 17% over-representation of business-vehicle crime relative to Tracker’s subscription base, indicating a high propensity for hijackings. KwaZulu-Natal also displays a high incidence of business vehicle hijackings, with a 64:36 hijacking-to-theft ratio. In the Western Cape, 82% of business-vehicle crime incidents are hijackings, making it almost five times more likely for a business-owned vehicle to be hijacked than stolen in the region.

Mitigation Strategies

To combat courier hijackings, Tracker emphasizes the importance of technological advancements in enhancing fleet security. Key strategies include:

• AI-Enabled Dashcams: These use facial recognition and live monitoring via dual camera systems to detect unauthorized access and external hazards, alerting control centers in real-time.
• Vehicle Telematics: Providing insights for route optimization and incident management through real-time tracking, analytics, and interactive dashboards.
• Safety Features: In-cab assist buttons, impact detection, emergency services dispatch, journey sharing, theft retrieval services, cargo door sensors, and on-demand armed response capabilities.
• Trailer Tracking Units: Assisting in cargo recovery and minimizing losses in the event of theft or hijacking.

Conclusion

The surge in online shopping has led to a corresponding increase in courier hijackings, presenting significant challenges for the logistics sector. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of advanced technology, stringent security measures, and comprehensive organizational policies to protect assets and ensure the safe and timely delivery of goods. By leveraging these strategies, businesses can better safeguard their fleets and mitigate the economic impacts of courier hijackings.