UK business leaders have issued a stark warning that crime is increasingly becoming a "serious barrier" to economic growth, as companies grapple with rising levels of shoplifting, fraud, and cyber-attacks.
BCC Survey Highlights Widespread Crime Impact
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), representing tens of thousands of businesses nationwide, has called for a "step change" in government support after its survey revealed that two-fifths of companies experienced some form of crime in the past year. The survey of 1,411 firms found that one-fifth had faced fraud or scams, while 21% reported cyber-attacks.
Ellis Shelton, a BCC policy manager, stressed that tackling crime would help remove "structural barriers to growth." He stated: "Crime against business is now a serious barrier to growth and investment across the UK. Our research shows many firms are dealing with rising levels of theft, fraud and cyber-attacks. Bosses are being forced to divert crucial time and money to tackling this anchor on growth. Crime is becoming more sophisticated and there needs to be a step change in the support businesses can count on."
Proposed Measures for Business Support
The BCC has urged the government to implement several measures, including creating a cyber-attack reporting system for companies, establishing regional business crime hubs to coordinate police and business crime reduction partnerships, and expanding cyber and fraud resilience support for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, it called for more incentives for companies to invest in security.
High-Profile Cyber-Attacks in 2024
Last year saw a series of high-profile cyber-attacks on UK businesses, including Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), and Booking.com. The hack of JLR alone is estimated to have cost the UK economy £1.9 billion, potentially making it the most costly cyber-attack in British history. M&S reported a £324 million hit to profits after being forced to close its website to orders for over six weeks following a damaging hack.
Rise in Shoplifting and Tool Theft
At the other end of the scale, tradespeople have warned of an increase in tool thefts, which can severely impact their ability to operate. Retail businesses have also complained of rising thefts. Police-recorded shoplifting rose 20% year-on-year to 516,971 offences in the year to December 2024, and by March 2025, the annual total exceeded 530,000.
Vulnerability by Business Size and Sector
A separate BCC survey conducted last autumn found that larger companies are more vulnerable to crime, with incidence rates increasing from 32% among microbusinesses to 58% among firms employing more than 250 people. The manufacturing sector reported being the hardest hit, with 50% of companies experiencing business crime.
