Crime Against Business

crimeCrime, and the fear of crime, is a major concern for many small businesses. Crimes against business make up the ‘Forgotten Fifth' of recorded crime in the UK. 64 per cent of businesses have been victims of crime in the last year but many feel they are not getting an adequate response from the police.

Mike Cherry, Home Affairs Chairman

 

Businesses have a key role to play, in partnership with the police and local authorities, in tackling crime and contributing to safer and more sustainable communities. Crime against business is not just a crime against the business but its staff, customers and wider community. All too often scarce financial resources are wasted dealing with the after effects of crime which in turn deters further investment and employment opportunities and can hasten business closure.

 

The FSB wants a clear Home Office policy and comprehensive strategy to tackle crimes against business. The roll out of a national definition for crimes against business is key to ensuring that crimes against business are recorded in a uniform way across the country and that adequate resources are allocated to tackle the problem.  Targets to tackle crimes against business should be included in every local policing plan across the country.

 

Useful links

 

> Latest FSB reports

 

FSB Putting the economy back on track: Crimes against business 2008

 

FSB Inhibiting Enterprise: Fraud and online crime against small businesses 2009

 

FSB Crimes against Business: the Forgotten Fifth 2007

 

> Advice for businesses

 

Home Office Business Crime mini site

 

Neighbourhood Policing Units - find your local unit here

 

Getsafeonline - advice for businesses

 

Business Crime Reduction Centre - E Crime advice

 

National Identity Fraud Prevention Week

 

Card fraud advice for retailers

 

Fraud Advisory Panel advice for small businesses

 

> Business Continuity Planning

 

National Counter Terrorism Security Office Crowded Places guidance

 

Expecting the Unexpected publication

 

Secure in the Knowledge publication

 

Government Preparing for Emergencies website

 

UK Resilience website