Crime is costing small businesses in the Republic €1.9 billion annually according to a new study released today.
The report, carried out on behalf of the small firms lobby group ISME, found almost half of businesses had experienced crime in the last 12 months.
Theft by outsiders and burglary were the most common crimes suffered by companies.
Not surprisingly the retail sector was the worst affected with 62 per cent of businesses claiming to have suffered crime in the last year.
The highest incidence of crime was reported in Leinster and in particular Dublin City. The average cost to businesses that suffered from criminal activity in the last 12 months was €8,230.
ISME says the biggest impact of crime is to increase the costs for insurance to business. A number of businesses also reported increased security costs as a result of criminal activity.
ISME has called on the Government for a national strategy to reduce business crime, including increased gardaí numbers, the use of CCTV and a comprehensive review of judicial system.
The report entitled 'The Extent, Impact & Cost of Crime on SMEs in Ireland' found the most common crime inflicted on companies was theft by outsiders at 49 per cent followed by burglary at 35 per cent with both vandalism and damage to vehicles having been experienced by 31 per cent of respondents.
Sixteen per cent of companies reported theft by members of staff.
Of the €1.9 billion crime bill, €643 million was due to criminal damage.
The study found that only one in ten businesses believed the perpetrators of crime would be apprehended.
