The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says crime is increasingly limiting the ability of businesses to grow in the UK. In a new survey, the BCC reports that around two-fifths of companies experienced some form of crime in the past year. The research points to a range of issues affecting firms, including theft and fraud, as well as cyber-attacks. Business leaders say these incidents force management to spend additional time and resources dealing with security, compliance, and disruption, rather than focusing on expansion.
The BCC, which represents tens of thousands of businesses across the country, calls on the government to increase and strengthen the support available to companies. It characterises the problem as becoming a “serious barrier” to economic growth and urges a “step change” in the level of assistance businesses can rely on. Both outlets frame the findings as evidence of worsening risk for firms, particularly among those already dealing with theft, fraud and online threats.
