Axa Insurance has opened the lid on a simmering pot of dissatisfaction in responding to research published in September showing that crime-related claims by businesses leaped 19% in the second quarter of 2004 compared with the previous three-month period. Axa has proposed that fining or stripping of assets would be a more appropriate punishment and a greater deterrent. Funds raised could then be put back into the community.

Some traders in Brighton & Hove are struggling to raise funds to sign up to the Business Forum's Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP). There is a school of thought that suggests money raised from fines could be used to support this initiative as it would directly affect the apprehension of offenders in the future and make it more difficult for them to re-offend.

See further articles on the Business Crime Reduction Partnership in the Knowledgebase under Crime. If you have a view on this subject please send a letter to soozie@mmp.co.uk. If you are interested in the work of the BCRP please contact Terry Davies on 01273 733393.