The Invisible Crime - Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UK

When the British Chambers of Commerce commissioned its last Crime Against Business Survey in 2004, there was a belief among the business community that the Government was at last taking the issue of business crime seriously. A renewed focus on working with local partners and a greater emphasis on national partnerships were seen as positive steps in the right direction. However, this survey has found that confidence in the police and its ability to deal with business crime is worryingly low. As a result the disturbing trend of non-reporting of business crime is on the rise. Businesses, at the heart of their local communities and as providers of jobs, are key to the development and sustainability of their local areas. Damage to business, therefore damages the community itself.

The British Chambers of Commerce estimates the cost of crime against business has risen by a worrying 20% since 2004 with the total cost now standing at £12.6 billion. This acts as a significant brake on growth not only of the national economy but at a local level. Towns and cities are sustained by the viability of their local economies. If crime against business continues to rise, companies will be forced to relocate taking with them the employment and opportunities they provide while areas affected by crime will fail to attract the investment required to stimulate and sustain economic regeneration.

It is now imperative that the Government recognises the seriousness of crime against business. The British Chambers of Commerce believes that the Government should tackle business crime in partnership with the business community. Chambers of Commerce are ideally placed at the heart of local communities to assist the police in tackling business crime. We urge the Government to take action on this important issue and to engage with all stakeholders.

David Frost
Director General
British Chambers of Commerce

Download the survey here. ( 451.88 KB )