CRIME committed against businesses is on the rise, according to a survey, with the total number of crimes affecting business rising by 24 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

The figures, released by insurance company AXA, also show that crime has cost United Kingdom business a staggering £8.7bn in the past 12 months.

In fact, more than 850,000 businesses were affected by crime in the second quarter of 2003 almost 420,000 suffered malicious damage, 380,000 theft, 25,000 arson, 18,000 theft and 11,000 had money stolen from their premises after a break-in.

The number of hold-ups remained reassuringly low, as did the theft of goods in transit.

According to David Williams, head of claims at AXA: "It is a sad fact that ambitious business people have to worry about thieves and vandals in their business plan. But these figures show that crime is a serious concern, and that it is rising."

Detective Inspector Paul Ginger of Wiltshire Police, who heads the division's Fraud Squad, said: "More crime is being committed against businesses.

"For instance, criminals have cottoned on to the fact that fraud is an easy way of making money, despite the risk of lengthy prison terms if they get caught."