Almost six out of ten SMEs fall prey to criminals every year, but most are not fully covered by insurance, experts warn.
Crime cost businesses around £5,000 each per year, however two thirds lack fully comprehensive insurance, according to research by the Institute of Directors.
Theft is the most likely crime to be experienced by business owners with 66% saying that they had been victims.
Vandalism was the next most likely crime to hit firms, followed by burglary and vehicle damage.
Separate research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), also released today, shows 58% of its members have been victims of crime. Misdemeanours against businesses are twice as likely as those against households, FSB said.
Yorkshire and Humberside suffered the highest levels of burglary, graffiti and vehicle crime, while those in the Northwest were most likely to suffer from robbery and vandalism.
Many business owners believe crime has increased but police are struggling to find the culprits.
David Croucher, of the FSB, said: "There is a perception among business owners that the UK is experiencing a crime epidemic and that no-one cares.
"The government sets 13 targets for the police and none of them feature business."
