Crime costs small businesses £3k each year

Date: 8th September 2010

A number of small business owners in the UK have been left £3,000 out of pocket in the last 12 months as a result of criminal activity.

This is the findings of a recent report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which showed that more than two-thirds of small firms in the UK have been a victim of crime costing more than £3,000 in the last year.

Furthermore, the study showed that 39 per cent of such crimes are left unreported.

Mike Cherry, the FSB's policy chairman, said: "Small businesses are the heart of our local communities and a crime against a small firm is not just an attack against that business but it affects staff and has repercussions on the wider community."

The expert said the number of businesses affected should encourage the government to "step up" and engage with small firms.

"It is paramount that the government sets out the right local agenda to protect these vital firms that are currently losing up to £3,000 a year to crime. We cannot watch small businesses being repeatedly victimised and as a result forced to close," he added.

Posted by Jacob Williams