Insurer Capital on Tap has released the results of a survey showing where and how crime affects businesses in England.
To better understand the scale of the issue, it analysed Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from police forces across the country, alongside a survey of 500 UK business owners.
The research explores the crimes that businesses experience most often, the sectors and locations most affected, its financial impact and how businesses are preparing for potential incidents.
Perhaps most relevant for store owners, for businesses that had experienced crime, theft remained the most common offence. 59% of respondents reported incidents involving shoplifting, burglary or stolen stock.
Attempted break-ins (52%), property damage (51%) and vandalism (50%) all affect around half of victimised businesses, suggesting many experience multiple forms of crime rather than just isolated incidents.
Retail crime
The nature of business crime experienced also varies considerably by industry. Retail businesses are by far the most exposed to theft, and among retailers that have experienced crime, an overwhelming 94% report shoplifting, burglary or stock theft, reflecting the challenges of operating customer-facing premises where valuable products are often openly displayed.
To counter these figures, the survey showed CCTV is by far the most common security investment, with almost two-thirds (64%) of businesses installing or upgrading surveillance systems.
Almost half of those surveyed have invested in additional alarms, shutters or other physical security improvements, while an identical proportion have introduced staff training to improve security awareness.
Regional variations
In addition to the figures already mentioned, it was found Cambridgeshire took the dubious top spot for police forces experiencing the highest levels of business crime (2,804 crimes per 100,000 people), closely followed by Nottinghamshire (2,403) and Bedfordshire (2,171).
Finally, whether it’s an overnight break-in, storefront vandalism or stolen inventory, crime can place immediate pressure on a business’s finances. For small to medium enterprises with limited cash reserves, finding thousands of pounds for emergency repairs or replacement stock can quickly affect day-to-day operations.
Rebecca Alford, chief financial officer at Capital on Tap, said: “While no business can eliminate the risk of crime entirely, taking steps to prepare financially can make it much easier to recover when the unexpected happens. Building resilience isn’t just about investing in security - it’s about ensuring your business has the resources to respond quickly without placing unnecessary strain on day-to-day operations.”
You can read the full results from the survey here.
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