A survey published by the Small Firms Association (SFA) today found that 51 per cent of businesses have been victims of crime at least once in the past year.
The 6th National Small Business Crime Survey also reported that 66 per cent of firms have been victims of crime on two or more occasions, the average cost per incident is €2,807, and that spending on crime protection for small firms is €1.73 billion.
The most common crimes are criminal damage and theft of property at 16 per cent each; theft of stock at 15 per cent; and theft of cash at 11 per cent, according to the report.
Maintenance costs of security equipment are €393 million per annum, it added.
The SFA said that despite this expenditure, "the incidence, extent, scope and costs associated with crime are increasing. This alone reflects the societal changes which are taking place," adding that crime posed a "serious danger" to society and the nation.
SFA director Patricia Callan continued: “Since our last survey the level of crime perpetrated against small business has increased by 11 per cent. The business community is under constant attack from planned professional criminality.
"There is an enormous psychological price being paid by business people as crime is now more organised, more professional, more ruthless and more pervasive," she said.
Ms Callan noted that 12 per cent of respondents had experienced violent threats, with one-quarter of them away from the business premises.
A total of 187 companies responded to the survey.