The number of crime-related business insurance claims settled during the second quarter of 2005 surged by 24% when compared to the first three months of this year, according to the latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index.

The Index, which is based on AXA's claims database, revealed that between April and June the value of the average crime-related business insurance settlement was £3,743 and the most frequent type of crime-related claim settled was theft, followed by malicious damage.

According to AXA research, half of all employers blame a lack of police presence and lack of security systems such as CCTV for the amount of criminal activity carried out against businesses.

Nottingham is most at risk from business crime according to the survey, with Middlesbrough having the lowest percentage of crime-related business insurance claims settled over the period.

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