Crime against Business

Recent statistics show that crimes targeted against small business are on the increase.  Crime affects a businesses' ability to meet customer deadlines, attract customers and their profitability, ultimately risking businesses closing down and putting jobs at risk.

Crimes against business make up a significant 20%, the "Forgotten Fifth" of recorded crime in the UK.  Only 45% of businesses report crime because of a lack of faith in the criminal justice system.  Therefore official crime statistics do not reflect the true extend of the problem.

Denise Wilson, FSB Yorkshire & Humber spokesperson on crime

National Facts:

• 64% of businesses have been victims of crime in the past twelve month.

• 20% (or the "the forgotten fifth") of all crime is against businesses

• The five most frequent crimes experienced by UK businesses in 2008 were:

Vandalism

Vehicle damage

Threatening behavior

Graffiti

Shoplifting

• Over the past two years, one in four businesses experienced e-crime, assaults on owners and staff, identity fraud and arson

• 40% of businesses don't report crime – giving the following reasons:

Lack of faith in the criminal justice system

Reporting would not achieve anything

The police would not be interested

The crime was not serious enough

Regional Facts:

• Yorkshire and Humber business owners are more likely to experience incidences of business crime than those in any other region of the UK.

• The region has the highest levels of vandalism of all the English regions.

• Despite the national figures for under reporting crime, firms in Yorkshire and Humber are more likely to report incidents of crime than any other region in the UK.

• In a recent survey, the overall cost and effect of crime on business was higher in this region (£25,108) than any other in the UK. (It must be noted, however, that a very small number of crimes accounted for much of the overall cost of crime, distorting the averages for the regions in which these crimes took place).

What can we do to tackle the issue:

1. Neighborhood Policing Teams offer an opportunity to set the right local agenda in the fight against crime. All police forces have committed to a Policing Pledge which sets out ten key principles in order to offer a good service to their local community. Influence your local policing priorities by getting involved in your local Crime and disorder Reduction Partnerships.
   Website with details of CDRPs in Yorkshire and Humber: www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/regions/regions09.htm
   
2. Report ALL crime to the police, no matter how minor. This will allow a full picture of the extend of crimes against businesses to emerge, and adequate resources to be allocated.
   
3. Email us about how NPTs/CDRPs are working in your area.
   
4. If you have a crime issue that is not being addressed please e-mail and let us have the details.

Useful Regional links:

Business Crime Reduction Centre (BCRC):
BCRC provide one to one support to small businesses, hold regular events and produce and array of advice and information.

 
Yorkshire and Humber Fraud Forum:
Members of the forum benefit from Masterclasses and other training events which aim to ensure a widespread understanding of current threats and issues.