A new report commissioned by the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser shows that increasing funding for policing could generate £13 billion for local businesses and help revitalise Britain's struggling high streets. The research indicates that every £1 invested in policing generates approximately £10.70 in economic value for businesses.
Crime's toll on business survival
Businesses in areas of high crime have only a 19% chance of surviving a decade, compared with 45% for those in the lowest crime areas. The report highlights that the cost of crime extends beyond direct losses from theft and vandalism, also reducing investment, discouraging entrepreneurs, and lowering productivity and economic growth in communities.
A 10% increase in neighbourhood crime is associated with approximately a 1% reduction in business output. Conversely, a 10% increase in community policing could generate roughly £13 billion in net economic benefits for businesses over three years.
Broader economic impact
The study builds on a 2025 report showing that a one-percentage-point increase in crime in an area is linked to a 1.5% drop in house prices. Together, the two studies demonstrate that crime costs affect community stability, economic confidence, and levels of poverty, ultimately limiting growth.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said: “Policing has impact beyond catching criminals, it's the foundation of thriving communities. When crime falls, businesses grow, investment follows and local economies prosper.”
He added that the NPCC would advocate for policing reforms with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, stating: “We really want to seize this opportunity to reform and invest in policing as an enabler for economic success. It wouldn’t be wise to do the same thing over and expecting success. It’s time for a bold, decisive, deliberate redesign of the model to get the economic benefits.”
Scientific adviser's view
Paul Taylor CBE, Police Chief Scientific Adviser, said: “The findings provide robust evidence that sustained investment in policing, including the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, is critical to supporting local communities and delivering the UK's broader economic growth agenda.”
