THE cost of Crime against businesses is rising dramatically, according to figures released by AXA Insurance.
The Business Crime Index, compiled from AXA's claims database, revealed that the average value of crime-related insurance claims settlements for the first three months of 2004 increased by more than 17 per cent compared with the final quarter of 2003.
Theft accounted for 69 per cent of claims, followed by malicious damage at 26 per cent.
And the cost of settlements has almost doubled in two years, from £2,100 per settlement in 2002, to £4,200 today.
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