Significant numbers of businesses report that they are victims of crime. As business creates Australia's wealth and employment opportunities, crime prevention is of great importance for this sector of the community. This Trends and Issues paper promotes discussion of crime prevention strategies and processes, and highlights further work which needs to be done.
In reporting on a 1993 survey, this paper shows that crime against business has direct costs in the order of $1.5 billion and indirect costs of a further $5 billion (approximately), including $1 billion in insurance payouts. Notwithstanding these costs, the author points out that much crime against business is unreported because the process of reporting and investigation is perceived as disruptive and costly.
The Australian Institute of Criminology supports further collaborative work with Australia's business organisations.