FIRMS have only a few more weeks to help crack down on business crime. The first-ever Home Office consultation with companies on the most effective ways to combat business crime has already brought considerable response.

Business crime, whether burglary, robbery or fraud, is often seen as victimless, yet costs the UK economy about £19 billion a year.

The British Chambers of Commerce say businesses are twice as likely to become a victim of crime as individuals.

Hugh Marriage, crime reduction director for the South East, said it was impossible to prevent business crime but reducing it was "relatively easy."

"Through businesses, police, and local authorities and residents coming together, we can significantly reduce the menace of business crime, " he said.

Crime Reduction minister John Denham said: "We all know that crime is bad for business. All crimes that affect society in general affect business too, and the knock on effects of higher crime rates and unemployment can be damaging for entire communities."

He hoped that a partnership approach to tackling crime reduction, already established in many areas, would become normal practice.

"I believe that we can build on these sorts of partnerships to all our benefit. By going out to industry and giving them the opportunity to air their views, I hope to get a clear picture of how we can ensure that a partnership approach to crime reduction becomes normal practice.

"We will consider all responses very carefully and if there is sufficient interest there is a strong possibility that we will establish a business crime unit aimed at developing a centre of excellence within the Home Office to further develop initiatives to reduce business related crime."

Details of the consultation can be found online at www.homeoffice.gov.uk and at www.crimereduction.gov.uk.