Businesses are notoriously vulnerable to criminals over the Christmas period, but latest figures suggest they may finally be winning the battle against crime.
Research by insurer AXA has argued that the dramatic increase in crime against businesses seen in recent years may have peaked, with incidents falling by 15.8 per cent in the third quarter of this year compared with the second three months of the year.
The most common form of business crime was theft, making up nearly two thirds of all crime related insurance settlements in the period, with malicious damage, at 30.34 per cent, coming second.
Businesses in Nottingham were most at risk, with more than a quarter of claims settled there in the third quarter resulting from business crime, followed by Leeds, Birmingham and Derby.
AXA warned that, while companies were becoming more security aware and vigilant, it was vital employers did not let their guard down over the Christmas break.
AXA property insurance manager Neil Mercier said: “It is essential that this awareness continues, especially over the coming festive period. Every business should ensure that its property is secure before closing over Christmas and New Year. Criminals won’t be taking time off.”
