Crime targeting business grows

ISME, the Irish SME Association’s latest survey shows that more and more small and medium businesses are falling victim to crime.

The survey found that 35 per cent of business have been the victim of crime in the past twelve months, with 75 per cent experiencing more than two incidents.

The Association has made a number of recommendations to Government, law enforcement, and business to help reduce crimes against businesses.

“Today’s results represent a mixed bag. It is disappointing to see levels of crime against business increasing. The cost of crime can have a devastating impact on businesses. Crime not only reduces profit and increases cost, but it affects corporate reputation and employee morale,” said ISME CEO Neil McDonnell,

“Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cash flow difficulties as a result of business crime; they find it more difficult to absorb unexpected cost,” said Mr McDonnell

“32 per cent of those surveyed stated that criminal activity resulted in a disruption to trading, while 21 per cent experienced higher insurance costs. All of these costs impact greatly on business productivity,” he said.

“We have made eleven recommendations we feel would reduce business crime. One of these recommendations is the introduction of a single, national definition for business crime in Ireland under the ICCS Offence Groups published by the CSO, as is done in the UK. #

“Such a move would allow for offences to be properly tagged, measured, analysed and ultimately solved by An Garda Síochána,” Mr McDonnell told the media at the launch of the new survey results late last week.