Newbury Business Today

What exactly is ‘business crime’?

28th May 2008

Email: businessreporter@newburybusinesstoday.co.uk

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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

What exactly is business crime? Well, if I have to be asking that question, maybe we're in bigger trouble than we thought.
But, then again, maybe not, as it’s actually a complicated question.  The Business Action Group wants to establish clear definitions, which will direct the work of people like myself and the rest of my police colleagues, but also the numerous other agencies who share the same over all goal to reduce crime.
Many senior officers want to see the business community more closely looked after, hence the creation of the job I am now doing. But the targets for the police, as set out by the Home Office, do not actually include business crime.
And if there are not any targets, then we have not up to now, needed any definitions either. So we’re working on it.
I’ve previously said in this column, it’s clear what I’m putting at the top of my priority list - theft of/from and damage to motor vehicles, burglary (of non-dwelling properties), vandalism, criminal damage and other anti-social behaviour. And let’s not forget the important need to talk to as many businessmen as possible and develop a real relationship with the business community.
We still need to drill down further than that and really tease out what a business crime is, because we can then get our statisticians to work on the police database and really begin to measure it. I’ve heard it said that at least one in eight business crimes go unreported – but how would we really know?
So, back to the original question – what exactly is business crime? Burglary or damage to premises – that qualifies, pretty obviously. What about vehicle theft?
Well, if it’s a company car, or a commercial van or lorry, that is pretty obviously a business crime too. But how about theft of private property from a      company vehicle, especially when it is not in business use? How about theft of company property from a private vehicle?
Let’s look at anti-social behaviour. If it doesn’t take place on business premises, then maybe it’s not a business crime. At this point, we have to start using our common sense as well as our analytical brains. And let me tell you that, as your business PCSO, I most definitely HAVE taken action over anti-social behaviour, drinking and the like, wherever it may be. In the end, good, pragmatic policing doesn’t need too much analysis.
More people are now joining the local Business Action Group – but we always welcome more active participation from the business community. So if you are interested in making a difference to business security issues, or want to contact me about any security topics, I’d be pleased to hear from you.
 Please write to: Philip.Lewis@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

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