Criminology and business crime: Building the bridge

This paper argues that poor communication between criminologists and the business community is, to a large extent, symptomatic of the low priority attached to crime against business by those responsible for law enforcement and crime prevention. As a means of understanding the government and police position on business crime, the paper attempts to outline the key developments in business criminology in the U.K. since 1986 and to highlight both what this work has achieved and what it has failed to address. The main lessons from this small, but not insignificant, body of research are then summarized. The research shows, in particular, the very high rates of victimization suffered by those in business, their clear concerns about the problem, and a growing rejection of the prevailing view that businesses must ''look after themselves'' in preventing crime. Various arguments in favor of partnerships between businesses and the police are then presented. In conclusion, it is argued that criminologists in the U.K. have considerable scope to become move involved in the field of business crime, and may have a particular opportunity at present to assist businesses and the police to work together more effectively in preventing crime.