Policing business crime

Summary

The College of Policing defines business crime as any criminal offense where a business or an individual in the course of their employment is the victim. This definition, established by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, applies to crimes that could impact the sustainability of a commercial enterprise. It does not include crimes against public-sector organizations or places of worship. Officers are encouraged to use this definition when assessing local crime data to identify trends and inform crime prevention strategies. There is no mandated recording process for business crimes, but forces may apply a business crime flag and must still record underlying offenses according to local policy. Collaboration between businesses and police is vital, with partnerships supported by funding from businesses and resources developed by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) to enhance information sharing and engagement.

Key principles

• 1Business crime is defined as criminal offenses against businesses or employees during their employment.
• 2The definition does not cover public sector organizations or places of worship.
• 3Recording business crimes is not mandatory but may involve applying a flag to relevant reports.
• 4Active police involvement is crucial for effective business crime partnerships.
• 5The NBCC develops standards for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs).
• 6Collaboration between police and local businesses is vital for effective reporting and engagement.

Defined terms

National Business Crime Centre (NBCC)

A body that supports police forces in developing practices to tackle business crime.

Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs)

Collaborative groups that aim to reduce business crime through joint efforts between police and businesses.

Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

Designated individuals who serve as points of contact for business crime within police forces.