Birmingham businesses hit hard by crime

Published on 14 Dec 2006

Financial services firm AXA has published the latest figures from their quarterly business crime survey, reports onrec.com.

The figures, which cover the third quarter of 2006, do not make happy reading for UK businesses, particular those in Birmingham. The city tops the AXA Business Crime Survey followed by Middlesborough and Cardiff.

Neil Mercier, property insurance manager at AXA said:

"We are concerned by the findings from this index, as criminal activity towards businesses continues to rise. It is particularly troubling as our experience since the index was first launched reveals business crime generally increases in the fourth quarter of the year, which will make worrying reading for UK businesses this festive season. We believe a contributing factor is the impact of Christmas, when many retailers find their stores busier and more difficult to protect from crime, while the general distraction and goodwill of the festive period can lead to a lowered guard against criminal behaviour.

"With many premises left empty over the period, businesses make easier targets than usual. We are urging businesses to remain vigilant against criminal activity and ensure they have adequate measures in place to protect themselves. Our website www.axa4business.co.uk contains a range of guides for SMEs including on how to protect themselves from criminal activity."

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