October 2010 Recession

Recession has not created a rise in crime amongst businesses.

According to The Federation of Small Businesses crime rates amongst businesses did not increase despite an angry recessionary period.

Douglas Barnett from AXA insurance was quick to comment on the findings...

“We expected to see a rise in business crime between 2008 and 2010 as crime usually rises during recessions, but it has stayed level...”

Barnett suggested that “Businesses have been much more aware of the need to protect themselves against crime...Many small businesses Have employed additional security measures including small alarms , improving locks, and even employing security personnel...”

Despite the lack of an increase, crimes against small businesses are still occurring. The FSB found the most common crimes against businesses consisted of intimidating behaviour from the public towards staff.  Other common crimes included criminal damage and vandalism.

E crime including hacking of passwords, stealing data and spreading virus is another threat that businesses must be aware of. This invasive type of crime costs Welsh businesses nearly 400 million pounds in lost turnover each year. Wales’s e-crime figures revealed an increase of 67%.

 Janet Jones, FSB welsh policy chair discussed how businesses should react the minute a crime has been made.

“With two thirds of businesses still a victim of crime, the government needs to step up and engage with this important sector of the community. It is paramount that the Government sets out the right local agenda to protect firms that are currently loosing up to £3000 a year to crime.”