You may have some questions about the survey. Please read the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions to understand more.
About the survey
Who is funding the survey?
The Home Office - the government department responsible for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police - is funding the Commercial Victimisation Survey.
Who is conducting the survey?
Ipsos, an independent social research organisation, is carrying out the survey on behalf of the Home Office.
Why is this survey being conducted?
This is an important Government survey that aims to collect accurate data about the nature, extent and cost of crimes committed against businesses in England and Wales. The Home Office, other government departments, businesses and other interested stakeholders use the data to:
- monitor crime trends
- identify what needs to be done to reduce crime
- find out what support, advice and information would be most helpful to businesses
Who is being invited to take part?
Each year a selection of industry sectors defined by the UK Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC) are included in the Commercial Victimisation Survey. The 2023 survey will focus on businesses in the following sectors:
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Mining and Quarrying
- Manufacturing
- Electricity and Gas
- Water
- Construction
- Wholesale and Retail
- Transportation and Storage
- Accommodation and Food
- Information and Communication
- Finance and Insurance
- Real Estate
- Professional, Scientific and Technical
- Administration and Support
- Arts and Recreation
- Other Service Activities
Businesses across England and Wales within these sectors have been selected to take part at random from the Government’s Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) maintained by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Within these businesses, we are inviting the person with the most knowledge of or responsibility for crime and security issues to take part. We know that in some organisations, this might be a specific individual or Head of Department, while in other organisations it might be the business owner.
The survey is not technical, and participants do not need any specific IT knowledge.
Why should I take part?
This important study aims to help Government accurately understand the nature, extent and cost of crimes committed against businesses in England and Wales. The findings will be used to help reduce the risk of crime against businesses likes yours and will enable the Home Office to ensure their support, advice and information about crime is helpful to businesses. We are interested in speaking with as many businesses as possible, whether or not your business has been a victim of crime. This is your opportunity to take part and help reduce and monitor crime.
Is it confidential?
The research findings will not identify you or your business. No personal or commercial information will be passed to anyone outside the Ipsos research team. All responses will remain totally confidential and anonymous for all individuals and organisations.
Who will contact me?
An Ipsos interviewer from our Edinburgh office (dialling code 0131) may call you inviting you to take part. If you miss the call, they will call back within a day or so.
What does the survey cover?
A telephone interviewer will ask you a range of questions to find out about the following:
- Crimes your business premises may have experienced – this includes whether certain crimes took place, the type of crimes and the number of incidents in the 12 months prior to the interview
- Items stolen or damaged
- Costs of crime, including financial loss or damage
- Action taken and reporting patterns to police and other bodies
There are also sections in the survey about the impact of crime, experience of anti-social behaviour and crime prevention measures.
Please note we would still like to speak to you even if you have not experienced any crime, to help us ensure that our findings are representative of all organisations.
Who has endorsed the study?
The survey is endorsed by a range of trusted organisations, including:
- Federation of Small Businesses
- Association of Convenience Stores
- British Retail Consortium
- International Professional Security Association
- The British Institute of Recruiters
- Safer Business Network
- United Kingdom Warehousing Association
Will the findings be published?
The results of the surveys carried out in previous years can be found at the Home Office web page, in the crime against businesses statistics collection available here:
The survey findings from the 2022 has also been published, with anonymised findings available to download from the Ipsos website, the UK data service and the gov.uk website.
Participating in the survey
How will I be contacted?
If you are randomly selected, an Ipsos interviewer may call you between summer and autumn 2023 to conduct an interview over the telephone, or to arrange a convenient time to call back. Alternatively, you may be given the opportunity to complete the survey online.
How long will the survey take?
The interview should only take about 20 minutes of your time.
What if I am busy when the interviewer calls?
If you are unable to do the interview when the interviewer calls, he or she will be happy to arrange a more convenient time. Alternatively, you will be given the opportunity to complete the survey online.
What other reassurances can we give about the survey?
We would like to reassure those taking part in the survey that:
- Taking part is totally confidential and anonymous for all individuals and organisations
- We would still like to speak to your business even if you have not experienced any crime to help us ensure that our findings are representative of all organisations
- Findings from the survey will be published in order to help businesses like yours
- This research will comply with the Market Research Society code of conduct
- This research will also fully comply with the new GDPR regulations (see the privacy policy for more details)