ALMOST a third of Kent businesses have suffered from crime in the past 12 months with Thames Gateway (the area encompassing Swale, Medway, Gravesham and Dartford) the worst affected part of the county.

The findings are revealed in the Kent Business Barometer, quarterly research carried out on behalf of Business Link Kent, the county's impartial business advice agency, looking into the issues that face local companies on a day-to-day basis.

The research showed that a quarter of businesses reported a crime or criminal damage to the police in the 12 months to November. Sixteen per cent also said they had been a victim of crime but had not reported it.

"When you take these two figures and remove any overlap, you are left with the startling fact that nearly a third of businesses in Kent and Medway, ­32 per cent,­ have been hit by crime in the last 12 months," said Rob Hancock, Business Link Kent¹s Research Manager.

Of businesses affected by crime, 60 per cent said they had had items stolen and 58 per cent claimed to have suffered damage to property.

The research also found that one in five of business owners (21 per cent) thought that the risk of crime against their business was greater than it was 12 months ago. For business owners in Thames Gateway, the concern was even greater with one in three business owners (30 per cent) believing the risk of crime was greater than it was 12 months ago.

For advice on reducing the risk of crime to your business, contact Business Link Kent on 08457 226655, info@businesslinkkent.com or visit www.businesslinkkent.com/crime.