Co. Wexford Businesses Above National Average For Crime Rates

Co. wexford businesses above national average for crime rates

43 per cent of County Wexford businesses have been affected by crime in the past 12 months. That's according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association who have today issued the results of it's National Crime Survey. The survey found that business owners across the country have no faith in the Judiciary in the fight against crime, leading to a non-reporting of crime. The direct cost of crime has risen by 136 per cent since the start of the recession, now averaging almost 10,000 euro per enterprise per annum. In County Wexford 43 per cent of businesses have been affected by crime in the past year - which is higher than the national average of 39 per cent. Meanwhile 57 per cent of Wexford companies believe that the general level of crime has increased in the last 12 months. However 86 per cent of businesses have never liased with Gardai on Crime Prevention Strategies. According to Wexford's business owners - tougher sentencing and more visible policing are believed to be the best way to reduce crime.