Cargo theft in the metal industry in the United States has increased 254%, FreightWatch International (USA) Inc. said Monday in a report. Theft incidents increased from 13 thefts in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 46 incidents in the first quarter of this year, according to the Austin, Texas-based logistics security agency. Criminals are stealing loads of metal at a rate of 15.3 thefts per month, according to the report. That compares with 6.4 incidents per month in 2011, and 3.75 thefts per month in 2010.