Business crime has taken a dramatic upturn, according to the latest AXA Business Crime Index.
The insurer says the number of claims settled as a result of criminal activity rose by 22% in the last three months of 2004 compared with the previous quarter, hinting that many firms were hit while staff were on their Christmas break.
Theft and malicious damage accounted for 95% of cases, with the average crime related settlement valued at £3,643.
Almost half of respondents wanted to see longer sentences for criminals, 29% wanted more sentences dished out and 32% called for tougher financial penalties. Meanwhile, 32% of owners wanted community service orders to be lengthened.
Crimes against businesses are a growing problem for owner-managers and groups including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) are campaigning to make ministers take the issue seriously.
At the moment, it claims, too many people see crimes against business as 'victimless'; an untruth that is costing bosses dear.
David Frost, director general of the BCC, said: "Crime remains a very real problem for businesses the length and breadth of the country.
"Business crime is not a victimless crime; it undermines staff morale and distracts employers from the essential task of running their business. Our members tell us that a faster police response would be the most effective way of reducing business crime."
By city, Nottingham remains top of AXA's business crime table, followed closely by Bradford and Leeds. Middlesbrough recorded the lowest number of claims and remains the least targeted city.
Commenting on the findings, Martin Gill of Leicester University highlighted the preventative measures owners can take.
"Proper risk assessments are key, malicious damage is common but not so costly, arson is rare but very expensive and inconvenient," he said. "They need appropriate but mostly different responses and businesses need to recognize that problems can be tackled by focused and coordinated action."
