The UK’s business theft hotspots losing stock worth 184m
Northamptonshire business owners witnessed a 70 per cent crime increase in three years
Between 2013 and 2016, 184m worth of stock was stolen from under the nose of UK firms, according to new research that reveals the business theft hotspots suffering most from opportunistic crime.
The findings from a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, collected by self-storage firm Space Station, showed which areas were seeing the highest number of thefts and which parts of Britain was losing the greatest amount.
Some 20 police constabularies from around Britain provided data to the FOI request, which defined business theft as recorded offences of commercial goods ‘stealing from shops and stalls, running away without paying, and even theft by an employee.
In the three-year period, some 842, 752 instances of business theft contributed to the 184m loss.
Company owners in Greater Manchester were most susceptible to crime, according to the data. A total of 141, 887 instances of business theft were recorded by police in the area, while West Yorkshire followed with 110, 053 cases.
However, the greatest rise in crime in the same period was found in Northamptonshire. Business theft increased by 70 per cent in just three years. Only Bedfordshire came close, with half the rise at£35 per cent.
Number of recorded business thefts
Greater Manchester
141, 887
West Yorkshire
110, 053
Derbyshire
96, 369
Essex
84, 253
Kent
69, 048
Although Greater Manchester was rivalled in the number of crimes, the cost of stolen stock to founders far exceeded any other area, reaching over 71m.
Those in Kent also saw a higher value of goods stolen than most, losing almost 41m from 69, 000 instances of crime.
Total value of recorded thefts
Greater Manchester
£71, 384, 978.43
Kent
£40, 758, 827.43
West Yorkshire
£34, 037, 465.00
Lancashire
£20, 430, 118.22
Devon and Cornwall
£9, 267, 822.00
Commenting on the findings, Vlatka Lake, marketing manager at Space Station, said the total cost to firms was ‘shocking? and urged founders to be extra vigilant.
we highly recommend thatbusinessesinvest in secure storage solutions and take necessary steps to deter criminals. A well-lit space that is laid out to remove any hidden corners or blindspots? can deter opportunists, Lake’said.
She added: Businessowners can also look into alternative areas to hold their stock if they are going to be away from the premises for any period of time.”
Praseeda Nair is the editorial director of Business Advice, and its sister publication for growing businesses, Real Business. She's an impassioned advocate for women in leadership, and likes to profile business owners, advisors and experts in the field of entrepreneurship and management.
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