Business group concerned over rise in "recessionary crime"

Date: 14th July 2009

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on police to work against the "recessionary crime" that is currently afflicting the UK's small firms.

According to the group, there has been a significant increase in incident numbers, a trend partly provoked by the general economic downturn.

A total of 64 per cent of firms are thought to have fallen victim to some form of crime over 2008, up seven per cent from 2006's total.

In response to this trend, the FSB has issued a new "best practice checklist" to police forces around the country, in order to help them combat small business crime.

The group is also set to issue a 'Listening to the Business Beat' award to forces that are seen to do particularly well.

Mike Cherry, FSB home affairs chairman, said: "All the reports show that crimes against business are rising during the recession and businesses risk becoming victims due to an increase in threatening behaviour, burglary, arson and assaults on their staff.

"The police cannot allow these warning signs to pass them by. Police forces around the country must include the businesses on their beat in their response to these crimes and demonstrate that they take crimes against this important part of the community seriously."