BURY companies are being surveyed in a bid to count the true cost of crime.

Bolton and Bury Chamber is taking a lead role in a national campaign to focus on an issue which is becoming a growing concern for businesses.

The Chamber is surveying its 1,200 members to gauge their views on business crime.

And the business support organisation is offering to make further copies of the survey available to other firms who are eager to make their voice heard on this key issue.

Kay Gregson, Chamber director of customer services, said: "Business crime is often mistakenly seen as victimless, committed against profitable, insured companies. "For the vast majority of businesses, this is not the case, especially for small companies where crime can threaten the viability of the business and cause considerable stress for managers and employees."

She added: "We intend to identify the true scale and impact of crime against local business and dispel the myth that there are no victims.

"We hope that as many businesses as possible will take the time to complete the short questionnaire which will enable us to count the real cost of crime within our local business community."

Kay went on: "Together with the data we collect from other Chambers nationwide, we will be able to pressurise the Government into providing the right level of resources and service that is demanded by Bury and Bolton businesses and to alert politicians to the damage this sort of crime can inflict."

Local companies can obtain a copy of the business crime survey from Kay Gregson at the Chamber on 01204 374668.