A series of warehouse burglaries in Dubai has raised security concerns in the Middle East logistics industry.
Police recovered stolen goods worth Dh1.6 million from recent warehouse thefts in Dubai, but this accounts for only three of the 14 cases that have occurred.
A gang of five men were arrested for the theft of perfume worth Dh1.2 million from a warehouse in Al Rumool, and the theft of textiles worth Dh250,000 and pistachios worth Dh150,000 from warehouses in the Al Aweer industrial area. Using metal cutters to pass through warehouse locks, the suspects were discovered following an investigation by the CID.
The burglaries were committed during official holidays or weekends causing delays from owners in informing the police. The police highlighted an absence of security, in particular guards, as an underlying factor behind the robberies.
“Usually the owners did not go back to their warehouses unless they needed extra goods and the warehouse was not being monitored,” Brigadier Khamis Mattar Al Mezaina, director, Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told Gulf News. “I do not think providing security for warehouses would cost the owners a lot of money, especially considering the value of the goods that were stolen from the warehouse.”
Four of the five men arrested were residents in the UAE and the other a visitor. The suspects were caught when a police patrol discovered a pick up loading goods at night. Following an interrogation, the driver was believed to be unaware of the source of the goods, which were being shifted to another warehouse in Ajman.
The incidents have highlighted the importance of warehouse security in the region. “A good security plan which is predicated by a valid security risk or threat is essential. There is also a need to combine technology and human factors and striking the right balance in giving the optimum result,” commented Zack Zainal, vice president at Emirates Group Security. “These include various levels of CCTV surveillance cameras, highly integrated access control systems, biometric checks, access cards, screening equipment complemented with appropriate procedures and a grip on factors that affect the human performance. Within all these systems the importance of the human factor must be recognised in ensuring that security controls are effective.”
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