MANY Doncaster companies have lost confidence in police to investigate crimes against them - and are not even bothering to report offences, a new report reveals today.
A survey by Doncaster Chamber of Commerce reveals a "major problem" with business crime and says firms are now not reporting a quarter of incidents.
Forty per cent of companies who leave incidents unreported say it is because they do not have conf
idence in the police to investigate.
But police today defended their position and stressed they took business crime seriously and said they are developing a business watch scheme to tackle the problem further.
The report reveals 62 per cent of Doncaster businesses have experienced at least one incidence of crime in the last 12 months - above the national average of 58 per cent.
It also claims the problem is costing the borough £32million and hindering its economic regeneration.
The survey comes just days after South Yorkshire Police revealed Doncaster's crime rate was down 10 per cent and is at its lowest level for three years.
Much of the crime described in the survey was low-level offences such as vandalism or damage to property. But it also reveals a small number of firms said business crime was a major problem that threatens the viability of their businesses.
It also states 59 per cent of Doncaster firms believe the level of crime has a negative impact on expansion and 68 per cent believe it has a negative impact on inward investment.
Only 29 of those taking part in the survey said they were confident police deal with the issues important to their business with 98 per cent stating a faster police response would be effective in reducing crime against business.
The overall conclusion is that the level of business crime is under-reported, its impact under-estimated and the priority under-emphasised.
Doncaster Chamber chief executive Stephen Shore said crime against companies in the borough was a serious threat to local jobs and regeneration.
He said: "The business owners and employees in Doncaster who strive so hard to create wealth and provide local services deserve a better deal.
"The low priority with which the Government places business crime was clearly felt by the Doncaster businesses responding to this poll.
"Doncaster Chamber supports the police and respects the very difficult job they have to do in communities, however, only 29 per cent of businesses feel the police are addressing the issues which are of key concern to them in relation to business crime."
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