Half of business crime 'unreported'

Security cameras cost the government £170m last year

Half of crimes against business are not reported because of a lack of confidence in the police, says a new report.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a leading think-tank, warned that business crime should not be ignored because of a perception there is no victim, or a belief firms can afford to pay for it.

But police say they need the help of firms in order to track down the culprits.

A recent study by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) estimated crime cost each UK businesses an average of £5,000 a year.

The police simply cannot do their job without the goodwill and input of all the community, including the corporate sector

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud
Thames Valley Police

The IPPR said businesses were not used enough in the fight against crime.

It called for a "new deal" between companies and the government to improve reporting and reward business leaders who help reduce crime.

And it urged for laws to be amended to make sure business was consulted by police and local authorities on crime issues.

Author of the report, Jeremy Hardie, said: "The potential contribution of companies to crime prevention is incredibly significant, yet has been surprisingly ignored by the government."

Vandalism

Peter Neyroud, Thames Valley's Chief Constable, said: "The contribution of companies to reducing crime is absolutely vital.

"The police simply cannot do their job without the goodwill and input of all the community, including the corporate sector."

Last week, Home Secretary David Blunkett promised to conduct the first government survey of business crime for eight years.

His pledge followed a report by the BCC, which estimated crime was costing companies in the UK £18.8bn a year - an average of £5,000 a year.

Blunkett promised action

And the BCC survey suggested businesses were twice as likely as individuals to be victims of crime.

The most common crimes mentioned were vandalism and burglary, reported by 27% of respondents.

Researchers found that 3% of businesses experienced costs of crime over the last year in excess of £100,000.

Crime has become a huge electoral issue, with a number of initiatives announced to tackle street and youth offences.