Impact of Crime on Small Businesses Report 2008 - Gauteng Online

THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON SMALL BUSINESSESIn contrast to the international experience, the survey found relatively high rates <strong>of</strong>non-reporting for burglary and robbery. This is consistent with the findings <strong>of</strong> the2003 Victims <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong> Survey, cited above. In SBP’s survey, thirty eight percent<strong>of</strong> respondents stated that they did not report incidents <strong>of</strong> burglary, and fourteenpercent said that they had not reported robberies experienced by their businesses.Despite the high proportion <strong>of</strong> businesses operating in townships and informal settlementsthat had indicated that they do report crimes to the police, this questionfound that burglaries and robberies in townships and informal settlements weremore likely to go unreported than those occurring in inner city and suburban areas.Chart 39: <strong>Crime</strong>s not reported to police60% <strong>of</strong> respondents50403020100Inner City Township/informal Densely developed TotalBurglaryRobberyRespondents were asked to give some <strong>of</strong> the reasons why they do not report crimesto the police. Thirty eight percent <strong>of</strong> responses stated that the incident was too minorto report. This response was highest among businesses in low crime areas, and mayreflect a prevalence <strong>of</strong> petty crimes such as shop-lifting and staff pilfering affectingthese businesses. Twenty-two percent <strong>of</strong> respondents said that the police would notbe interested or there would be a poor service from the police. Respondents in areas<strong>of</strong> high crime and moderately high crime were considerably more likely to criticisethe service received from the police. Nine percent said they did not report becausethe chances <strong>of</strong> any arrest are too small to make it worthwhile. This response washighest among businesses in high crime areas (15 percent). Fifteen percent <strong>of</strong> respondentsstated that an internal solution to the problem was found – this rangedfrom reporting the matter to mall security, to staff disciplinaries, and small businesses‘dealing with the criminals’ themselves (sample size 182).76