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NEARLY HALF OF small businesses have experienced an increase in crime over the last two years, a new survey by the Small Firms Association has found.
The survey of business owners also shows that 49 per cent of respondents were the victims of crime on three or more occasions.
The costs of security measures are also on the rise, with businesses spending €260 million on the maintenance alone of security systems every year to try and keep their premises safe.
This is the thin end of the wedge for many businesses, with the average capital expenditure on security measures €6,049 per business, or €1.2 billion every year on a national basis.
SFA assistant director Avine McNally said that the problem is a constant thorn in the side for business people.
“The business community is under constant attack from planned professional criminality. There is an enormous psychological price being paid by business people as crime is now more organised, more professional, more ruthless and more pervasive.”
The financial hit of falling victim to criminal behaviour averaged out at €8,728, and covered a range from €80 to €200,000.
Scams
Over the last two years small firms have also increasingly become the victims of scams, identity fraud, phishing and data theft. A total of 18 per cent of respondents were victims of scams.
McNally said: “In addition to the obvious costs, there are many hidden costs, including lost production, administrative costs associated with crime investigation, absenteeism, stress, loss of preises, degeneration of business areas, closures and job losses.
The SFA criticised low conviction rates for crimes against businesses, and called for current laws on the statute book to be enforced more rigorously.
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Every business in Ennis has been a victim of crazy council rates. That council doesn’t understand the meaning of supporting business. Trump is over this week. Maybe he might give them a lecture on how to grow businesses
…… but robbing shops is part of our culture boss, it’s discrimination to stop us doing it ……
….. our people have been robbing shops all over Europe for centuries, you can’t punish us for following our traditional way of life ……
…… the govment won’t give us free money for sitting on our backsides so we have to rob, I’d a difficult childhood & people at school laughter at me cox I’m stupid & only wear tracksuits ever …… gimme another chance your honour I’ll definitely learn this 63rd time
Every haulage business in the country has had some experience of crime, be it in Ireland or abroad & when it happens overseas we are then the victims of police incompetence or sanction because of the crime perpetrated against us. No help or assistance from the dept of transport or foreign affairs just to add insult to injury.
By “crime” are you including staff pilferage?
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