Organized crime and local businesses

Abstract

Victimization surveys have found that small local businesses experience far higher rates of crime than individuals and households. Previous research also suggests some of the crimes suffered may be organized. Furthermore, local businesses may also be invited to play a part in organized crime, for example through receiving and reselling stolen, counterfeit or contraband goods, though this has been subject to little research to date. A victimization survey was conducted in three high crime neighbourhoods in English cities that aimed to establish patterns of organized crime victimization and the extent to which businesses were invited to participate in organized crime. Local police and community representatives were also interviewed to gauge their views on organized crime and local businesses. The evidence collected suggests that the nature of organized crime in relation to business varies widely between high crime neighbourhoods, that invitations to participate in organized crime are very widespread and that the police tend to perceive higher levels of crime organization affecting businesses than those revealed through surveys.