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Press Release

6/10 small businesses the victims of crime each year

8 August 2005

58% of all small firms fall victim to crime each year, according to a new report by the Federation of Small Businesses.

But crime against small businesses is reported in less than half of cases with a quarter of business owners saying that the police "would not be able to find the criminals."

The FSB report, based on responses from more than 18,000 business owners reveals that firms in the north of England, and those in urban areas are most likely to be hit by crime.

Businesses in Yorkshire and Humberside reported the highest levels of burglary, graffiti, and vehicle crime and those in NW England were most likely to fall victim to robbery and vandalism.

Businesses in urban areas were twice as likely as rural businesses to have experienced assault on the owner or staff.

The FSB report "Cracking Business Crime" criticises the Home Office for not giving crime against businesses the priority it deserves.

David Croucher, FSB Crime Spokesman said:

"There is a perception amongst business owners that the UK is experiencing a crime epidemic and that no-one cares. Sentences are lower for commercial burglaries than domestic burglaries, and criminal damage and theft from commercial premises have effectively been de-criminalised.

"There are twice as many crimes against businesses as crimes against households, but business crime comes low on the list of Home Office priorities. The Government sets 13 targets for the police and none of them feature business.

"Businesses can help themselves by reporting crime so that the police can build up a more accurate picture. But ultimately ministers must recognise that crime has a devastating impact on small firms generating fear in the workplace, alienating customers, and resulting in a negative knock-on affect in the wider community."



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Federation of Small Businesses

Federation of Small Businesses

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