Impact of Crime on Small Businesses Report 2008 - Gauteng Online

THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON SMALL BUSINESSEScrime areas believed that crime had increased compared to 31 percent <strong>of</strong> respondentsin low crime areas.At sub-sector level, retailers demonstrated a much higher than average perception<strong>of</strong> an increase in crime trends. This was particularly true for low level and informalsector retail vendors, but was also a clear result for high level and fixed premisesretail outlets.Chart 13: Perceived crime trends - by sector% <strong>of</strong> respondents80706050403020100Low level retail vendorsHigh level and fixedpremises retailAverage<strong>Crime</strong> has increased <strong>Crime</strong> is stable <strong>Crime</strong> has decreasedRespondents were evenly split as to whether levels <strong>of</strong> crime against small businesseswere likely to increase or decline over the coming year. Thirty five percentpredicted an increase, 35 percent a decrease, and 19 percent thought that levelswere likely to remain stable (ten percent <strong>of</strong> respondents had no clear expectations).Responses were fairly evenly spread across type <strong>of</strong> location, but showed some interestingvariations by sub-sector. Low level and informal sector retail vendors, thegroup reporting the highest perception <strong>of</strong> increased crime levels in the past year,was also one <strong>of</strong> the most optimistic that crime levels would decline in the in thecoming year. Respondents in the personal and pr<strong>of</strong>essional services sub-categorieswere also more optimistic than average about the prospects for a decline in crime levels.26