SFA calls for major offensive on crime

The Director of the Small Firms Association Pat Delaney has called for a major offensive against crime to make changes within the Irish criminal justice system.

Mr Delaney said: "Crime is of paramount importance because it costs money, affects health and lowers the quality of life. All those unfortunate enough to become victims of crime experience one or more of these traumas.

Delaney said that SFA research confirmed that crime is now endemic and impacting severely on small business.

Delaney said: "In addition to the obvious costs of crime such as insurance, there are many hidden costs, including the cost of lost production, administrative costs associated with crime investigation, higher staff turnover, absenteeism, stress, loss of premises, degeneration of business areas, closures and job losses.

"The consequence of crime can also result in failure to complete orders, meet delivery times, and a loss of goodwill to small businesses. The hidden costs of crime are estimated to be between two and three times the visible costs.

Delaney called for the establishment of a Specialised Business Unit within the gardaí which would specifically support small business.

"This unit should liase with small businesses in providing victim support, improved communications and practical measures to assist small business in preventing and tackling crime.

"It is a great pity that the only time crime features on the political agenda is when a election is forthcoming. Whatever happened to 'zero tolerance'? It is buried in public indifference because business and citizens no longer have faith in a system, which has a constitutional imperative to protect them.

"The total cost of crime and its prevention being borne by business is over €1bn per annum. A large part of this burden falls on retailers who are especially vulnerable to the escalation of crime and find themselves spending large sums of money on security measures they can ill afford.

"Retailers now require CCC TV, security staff, tagging systems, hi-tech tilling systems, floor walkers, alarm systems, and protective shuttering. The use of hidden cameras has increased by over 600%.

"It is unacceptable that small business which already faces very high insurance costs as a result of our 'claims/compo' culture should have additional costs enforced through a breakdown of our system to control crime.

"Too often the emphasis seems to be placed on the needs of the perpetrator and not the victims of the crime. This must change and every citizen and business in the State must be reassured that the necessary steps will be taken."