CRIME AGAINST SMALL BUSINESSES

That this House is alarmed that 20 per cent. of recorded crime is committed against the many companies which play such an important part in sustaining local communities; calls on police and local authorities to give high priority to reducing such crime and to fully reflect this priority in all policing plans, crime reduction partnerships, local area agreements and strategic partnerships; and notes the support of the Association of Chief Police Officers for the Federation of Small Businesses' campaign to encourage businesses to report Every Crime Every Time rather than the 40 per cent. currently reported.