A SPECIAL working group is to investigate the impact of crime against businesses on industrial estates.

The move follows extensive lobbying by the Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and will involve looking at the level of crime against companies, not only because of its economic impact, but also the serious effect it has on the individuals concerned.

Last year the Home Office agreed to set up a Business Crime Forum to look at what needed to be done and the British Chambers of Commerce were invited to be part of this Forum.

Initially, three groups were established to look specifically at police response to business crime, information and advice on preventing business crime, and incentives to tackle this.

Now a further group will be established to examine the specific problem on industrial estates/business parks.

"This agreement is further evidence that the lobbying by the chamber on this issue is having the desired effect," said Christopher Harvey, head of policy and representation at the chamber.

"Crime against business not only causes distress to the individuals involved and costs to that business, but the cumulative effect on the economy is huge."

In a national survey conducted by different chambers, it is estimated that the total cost to business, including both loss and preventive costs, is around £19 billion a year. That averages out at £5,000 for every firm in the country.

"Many town centres have already benefited from crime reduction initiatives, and now this new group will hopefully lead to more national co-ordination to enable the businesses based on industrial estates to gain more benefit as well," added Mr Harvey.

One victim of business crime doubted that it would make much difference.

George Hatton, managing director of Spicers Builders, which is based in Checketts Lane, Worcester, believes it is a 'self help' society.

"We have been victims of crime on several occasions, the last time being in January when we had 350 gallons of diesel stolen," he said.

"I cannot see this new group making the slightest difference. All it can offer is advice on how to try to keep your businesses premises crime free, with alarms, CCTV and the likes, and that is just common sense anyway."