Back to Headlines
Business
May 18, 2026
Analyzed by Glm 4.5 Air:Free

Crime Increasingly a 'Serious Barrier' to UK Growth, Say Business Leaders

AI Summary
UK business leaders are warning that crime has become a 'serious barrier' to economic growth, with two-fifths of companies experiencing some form of crime including shoplifting, fraud, and cyber-attacks. The British Chambers of Commerce is calling on the government to provide increased support and resources to help businesses combat these rising threats.

The Growing Threat of Business Crime in the UK

UK business leaders are issuing a stark warning that crime has become an increasingly "serious barrier" to growing Britain's economy, with two-fifths of companies experiencing some form of criminal activity in the past year. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on the government to provide "a step change in the support businesses can count on" as businesses face rising levels of theft, fraud, and cyber-attacks.

Rising Crime Statistics Across Business Sectors

The BCC's research, based on a survey of 1,411 firms, reveals that crime against businesses is widespread and growing. Key findings include:

  • Two-fifths of companies experienced some form of crime in the past year
  • One-fifth of companies faced fraud or scams
  • 21% experienced cyber-attacks
  • 50% of manufacturing companies reported business crime, making it the hardest hit sector
  • Larger companies are more vulnerable, with 58% of firms employing more than 250 people experiencing crime, compared to 32% of microbusinesses

Retail businesses have been particularly affected by shoplifting, with police-recorded incidents rising 20% year on year to reach 516,971 offences in the year to December 2024, exceeding 530,000 by March 2025.

Financial Impact on Major Companies

The financial consequences of business crime have been substantial, with several high-profile companies suffering significant losses. The hack of Jaguar Land Rover alone is estimated to have cost the UK economy £1.9bn, potentially making it the most costly cyber-attack in British history. Marks & Spencer took a £324m hit to profits after being forced to close its website to orders for more than six weeks following a damaging cyber-attack. Other major companies affected include the Co-op and Booking.com.

Industry-Wide Consequences and Economic Impact

Crime against businesses is creating "structural barriers to growth" according to the BCC, forcing companies to divert crucial time and money away from expansion and investment. The impact spans across sectors, from retail and manufacturing to tradespeople experiencing surging tool thefts that threaten their ability to operate. As Ellis Shelton, a policy manager at the BCC, noted, "Bosses are being forced to divert crucial time and money to tackling this anchor on growth."

The rising sophistication of criminal activities, particularly in cybercrime and fraud, has left many businesses struggling to keep pace with security measures, especially small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources.

Call for Government Action and Future Outlook

In response to the growing threat, the BCC has called for several specific measures from the government:

  • Creation of a cyber-attack reporting system for companies
  • Establishment of regional business crime hubs bringing together police and business crime reduction partnerships
  • Expansion of cyber and fraud resilience support for small and medium-sized businesses
  • More incentives for companies to invest in security

Without decisive action, business crime is likely to continue hampering UK economic growth, with the most sophisticated threats potentially targeting larger companies with greater resources. The BCC's warning suggests that addressing business crime must become a priority for policymakers if the UK is to overcome this "serious barrier" to economic expansion.