Home Office Research Report 10 - Business views of organised crime

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Victimisation surveys have found that small local businesses experience far higher rates of crime than individuals and households. Previous research also suggests some of the crimes suffered may be organised. Furthermore local businesses may also be invited to play a part in organised crime, for example through receiving and reselling stolen, counterfeit or contraband goods, though this has been subject to little research to date. A victimisation survey was conducted in three high crime neighbourhoods in English cities that aimed to establish patterns of organised crime victimisation and the extent to which businesses were invited to participate in organised crime. Local police and community representatives were also interviewed to gauge their views on organised crime and local businesses. The evidence collected suggests that the nature of organised crime in relation to business varies widely by high crime neighbourhood, that invitations to participate in organised crime are very widespread and that the police tend to perceive higher levels of crime organisation affecting businesses than those revealed through surveys.