Research suggests businesses could be winning the fight against crime

The latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index suggest that the recent dramatic increase in crime against businesses could have peaked. The frequency of crimes against businesses in the third quarter of this year fell by 15.8% compared to the second quarter of 2004. This resulted in a 7.4% fall in insurance claims settlements.

Despite this, it is not all good news, as the average crime related business claim settlement increased by 10%, from 3,384 to 3,722.

Types of crime that affect UK businesses
The index reveals that the most expensive criminal business insurance claim is arson, with some instances costing business hundreds of thousands of pounds. Whilst incidences of arson attacks remain rare, accounting for only 3% of all crime related business insurance claims, they account for one-third of insurance settlements. Theft remains the most prevalent crime against business and now accounts for over two-thirds of business related claims.


Neil Mercier, property insurance manager at AXA, said: ìItís encouraging to see that the level of crime against businesses could be falling. A key reason for this is that many businesses are increasingly aware of the threat of crime and taking steps to protect themselves. But it is essential that this awareness continues ñ especially over the coming festive period. Every business should ensure that its property is secure before closing over Christmas and New Year. Criminals wonít be taking the time off!î

ìOur website www.axa4business.co.uk offers free advice to businesses on a range of issues including how to protect themselves from criminal activity. We are delighted that over the past 12 months, we have seen a 36% increase in the number of visits to the site.î

Professor Martin Gill, Perpetuity Research & Consultancy International, Leicester University said: ìThe latest AXA Business Crime Index findings are encouraging news for businesses but they must remain vigilant. At Christmas for example, some premises can be left unattended increasing the chances of falling victim to criminal activity.î

UK business crime by city

The AXA Business Crime Index reveals that local businesses in Nottingham face the greatest threat from criminal activity with over a quarter of all claims settled in Q3 resulting from criminal activity. Nottingham is followed by Leeds (22.9%), Birmingham (22.0%) and Derby (21.5%). Middlesbrough (12.9%), Newcastle (13.2%) and Liverpool (14.0%) had the lowest percentage of crime related business insurance claims settled over this period.

AXA offers a free crime prevention toolkit designed to help businesses protect themselves against criminal activity. The AXA Business Security Blueprint provides best practice advice on everything from securing windows and doors to CCTV and fire suppression systems. It can be downloaded free of charge from www.axa4business.co.uk.