ACPO and NBCF definition of business crime

It is widely understood that a minimum of 15 per cent of all crime is related to business crime. The definition, adopted for the purposes of national crime recording, can be defined as:

“Business crime is any criminal offence that is committed against a person or property which is associated by the connection of that person or property to a business. This can be condensed to reflect the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) definition of business crime, given that it represents any crime in, around or against a business. This is based on the perception of the victim at the time of reporting of the offence.”

This milestone is the first step towards recognising all victims of business crime and ensuring, for the first time, that the impact of business crime can be accurately measured. ACPO and NBCF hope that a consequence of accurate recording will be to allow police resources to be more appropriately and effectively allocated and deployed. It is recognised that there is still a big task ahead for policing to train all police staff nationally to that definition, and to adapt force crime recording systems to allow for the recording of the crimes. ACPO and NBCF will be working with the College of Policing to develop a package which recognises the issues that need to be overcome for its successful implementation.

This is a significant step forward in appreciating the impact of business crime on its victims. It is important that the police service and business sector continue to work collaboratively, to ensure that this system continues to be most effective from the point of view of both victims and investigators.

The Chair of the NBCF, on behalf of the wider business community, is in the process of developing a relationship with the newly appointed Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Business Crime lead, Paddy Tipping. The relationship aims to enable the business community to come together as one collective voice, to raise positive developments and concerns regarding business crime. It is envisaged that the NBCF, as the lead coordinating organisation for the various business membership and representative bodies nationally, will be able to work in partnership with Mr Tipping to collaborate on addressing all forms of business crime.

Barrie Millett, NBCF Chairman, said:

“I am truly pleased that we have been able to achieve an important part of this journey and I will continue to drive forward a collaborative approach to addressing business crime nationally”.

Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish, OBE, National Policing Lead for Business Crime Reduction, said:

“The definition is the first of a series of objectives I set myself when I took this portfolio. Now that we can define business crime we can begin to measure it and better coordinate our collaborative response. Working with the business community I now aim to introduce minimum standards for business crime partnerships in order that we minimise the risks to businesses, and enable a more coordinated approach to public / private information and intelligence exchange at all levels. I have received tremendous support from the business community and this demonstrates the true value of working in partnership on a shared problem.”

The NBCF will continue to work collaboratively to ensure the successful implementation of the definition and will keep you informed as we achieve each stage of the strategy.

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk