Organisations across South Yorkshire are being asked to share their experiences with business crime via a new poll conducted by the three regional chambers of commerce.
Open until Monday 9th of December, the Business Crime Survey aims to find out how often local firms are targeted by shoplifting, burglary, theft from motor vehicles, fraud, assault and cyber-attacks, as well as the effect that these illegal activities can have on their day-to-day operations.
In addition to gathering said insights, the questionnaire will gauge respondents’ awareness of the various different support mechanisms that are out there to help them, while also asking them to rate how satisfied they have been with the response to any incidents that may have been reported in the past.
The South Yorkshire chambers promise to listen carefully to what the business community has to say, and plans to use the findings to better understand the scale of the problem; decide what more can be done to support firms with these challenges; and articulate to key partners (including the police) where improvements are needed most.
Chief Execs for the three South Yorkshire Chambers — covering Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley & Rotherham — issued the following joint statement: “From our regular interactions with members, we already know just how profound an effect business crime can have on an individual organisation; whether it takes the form of reputational damage, financial harm, customer loss or an impact on staff wellbeing. From SMEs right through to larger corporations, this is a major concern that spans all sectors and industries, which is why we are so keen to get under the bonnet of it via our new survey.
“By sparing just a few minutes to anonymously describe their experiences here, business-owners will be enabling us to fight more effectively in their corner. Indeed, we will be using the results to lobby for meaningful change, to make sure that the best possible support is available to firms on the ground when it comes to dealing with crime, and to hopefully make South Yorkshire’s private sector less vulnerable to such activity in the first place.
“To do this well, however, we need as many different perspectives as possible. After all, the greater the response to our questionnaire, the more authentically we will be able to represent businesses on this hot-button issue.”
The latest iteration of the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), the Business Crime Survey is sponsored by Clear Insurance Management and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, added: “We need businesses to have the confidence to invest; but that means listening to businesses about what undermines that confidence. I know crime and security are huge concerns for our business community, from fraud to shoplifting. So, as I develop my first Police and Crime Plan, I’m determined to listen and to learn. That’s why I need businesses to fill in the Business Crime Survey, so I can understand their needs and priorities, and what they want to see in that Plan.”
