Small shops most at risk from crime says FSB

Published on 18 Jul 2007

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believe local police do not take crime aginst small retailers seriously. This in spite the fact that one in three businesses are victims of crime, much of it violent in nature.

The FSB estimates that £1.5 billion is lost each year to business crime with many small retailers forced out of business through loss of revenue or the threat of violence.

Earlier this year the FSB highlighted the 'forgotton fifth', the 20% of all crime committed against businesses.

John Walker, FSB policy chairman, said:
"The local shop is often taken for granted. It's always there when we need it and so it is taken as a given. However, one in three small shops has been the victim of intimidation or threatening behaviour in the past year. We often hear of shopkeepers being assaulted or even murdered in their stores.
"The government is rightly keen to regenerate deprived areas of the country. However, they cannot do so if local businesses are closing to move elsewhere. The route to success in local regeneration lies in defeating crime.
"Businesses can then prosper - providing employment to youths who are currently disaffected and taking them off the streets. Economic growth will then regenerate areas in a more effective and sustainable way than any government-funded programme could achieve."