Arson and malicious damage are on the rise, according to small business claims data from AXA.
AXA figures showed arson up from 2.5% to over 3% and malicious damage up from 25% to over 30% for all crime related claims in the second quarter of 2004 compared to 2003.
Crime-related insurance claim settlements in the second quarter of 2004 increased by a staggering 19.3% compared to the previous quarter. Around one in five of all business claims settled between April and June was a result of crime.
The AXA Business Crime Index revealed that local businesses in Bradford were particularly at risk from crime, with just under 30% of all insurance claims settled between April and June 2004 resulting from criminal activity; the highest proportion of any major city in the UK.
Bradford is followed by Birmingham (27.1%), Nottingham (25%) and Bath (24.7%). Liverpool (14.9%), Ipswich (15.8%) and Glasgow (15.8%) were found to have the lowest percentage of crime-related business insurance claims settled during this period.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
