Business Crime
Crime against retail and manufacturing premises: findings from the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey
The Home Office published a summary report on the findings from the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) on 26th November 2004. This is the first Government national survey of crime against manufacturers and retailers in England and Wales since 1994. The survey is important as it gives us a clearer picture of the levels and types of crime suffered by businesses.
Title: Crime against retail and manufacturing premises: Findings from the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey
Author: Joanna Taylor
Series: Findings 259
Date published: November 2004
Number of pages: 6
Availability: Download full document 
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Summary of findings
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Three-quarters of retailers and a half of manufacturers experienced at least one crime in the previous year.
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The smallest retailers and manufacturers were least likely to have experienced both property crime and violent crime, with the largest businesses (those with 50 or more employees) at greater risk. However, this is to be expected as the number of potential crime targets (and thus potential gain for the criminal) are increased in larger premises.
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The CVS shows that crime against retailers and manufacturers was lower in 2002 compared with 1993. This finding is consistent with the British Crime Survey (BCS), which shows that crime against adults living in private households has fallen steadily since the mid 1990s.
Although the findings show a positive decline in crimes against businesses, it still remains a considerable problem for businesses and can have substantial financial implications. Concern about crime remains high within the business community, with about three-quarters of retailers and manufacturers reporting some level of concern about crime and its impact on their business and the immediate surrounding area. Therefore, the Home Office continues to take the problem of crime against business seriously and is addressing it through various measures.
Last update: Friday, September 15, 2006