Businesses lose €1.8bn to crime: Justice system is failing our SMEs

THE justice system is failing indigenous small and medium enterprises and, accordingly, they are losing more than €1.8 billion annually as a result of crime.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association National Crime Survey found the yearly cost of crime per enterprise is €6,750, while the annual cost of prevention is €5,428 for each business. That is a huge burden on a small business that may have already come through a series of recessions and is struggling to keep going.

The problem lies in the revolving door of justice where even repeat offenders get off lightly or may get the benefit of the probation act.