From petty pilfering to large-scale larceny, it seems that some people see recession as an opportunity rather than a threat – so it’s time to stay alert, writes Andy Richardson.

Every day, the headlines become increasingly dramatic: Jobs Go. Credit Crunch Bites. Homes Repossessed. Recession Until 2011.

Make no mistake, the economic downturn is having a severe effect on the nation’s economy and the misery will continue for some time. So far, workers in industry, those in the housing market and professionals in the financial sector have been at the sharp end. But a new wave of unrest is gathering.

Tough times are bringing out the Artful Dodger in many people. As families struggle to make ends meet, the credit crunch is giving way to a wave of crime and fraud. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith believes the economic downturn may lead to a 19 per cent rise in crime. People are stealing everything from copper to cauliflowers. Nothing is safe.

Police in Shropshire and Mid Wales are bracing themselves. Chief Inspector Martin Whitelegg, based at Shrewsbury station, says: “Historically, acquisitive crimes such as burglary and theft do increase country-wide during times of economic recession. Shropshire is not immune from such trends.”

Recent raids have hammered home the message. This month, thieves have already escaped with £75,000 from Lloyds TSB in Mount Pleasant, Shrewsbury, and a gang attempted a heist at a security compound in Telford Way, Shrewsbury.

Crime is intrinsically linked to poverty and deprivation. Both rise during times of high unemployment and recession. The risk of being a crime victim is now at its lowest since 1981. That is largely because we have lived through a period of prolonged economic growth. With bad times ahead, we are increasingly vulnerable to to crime.

Mr Whitelegg adds: “So far this year there has not been any significant rise in overall numbers of offences. Shropshire still remains a low-crime area when compared with many others in the UK, and police remain committed to keeping it one of the safest places to live and work.

“West Mercia Constabulary regularly reviews crime figures to establish trends and adjusts policing accordingly to tackle the issues that arise. We work to identify ‘hotspot’ areas of crime and take the necessary action to deal with them, including targeting known offenders.”

IT security expert Dave Whitelegg [no relation] says that people are at risk in their own homes. He says: “As the effects of the global credit crunch start to take hold in the UK, UK-focused cyber-crime will sharply increase. The amount of personal information being placed and made available on the internet is increasing, providing a rich gold mine for cyber-fraudsters and identity thieves.”

A new survey of 1,000 people by home security company, AlertMe.com, shows that 71 per cent of people are worried about protecting their property and 51 per cent feel the credit crunch would lead to an increase in crime.

Pilgrim Beart, a director at AlertMe, says: “There is lots of evidence to link a downturn in the economy to a rise in crime. More opportunistic burglaries take place as potential criminals feel the pinch and are more tempted by open windows and doors.”

Cyber-crime is not the only offence on the rise. Employee fraud is on the up, with some employees turning theft into a cottage industry. Figures from accountants BDO Stoy Hayward show that employee fraud cost UK companies more than £77 million in the first half of 2008, up from just £10 million in the same period last year.

Supermarket theft is rising. Sainsbury’s and Tesco have both attached security tags to their chicken and meat – in particular, the more expensive organic items. SlimFast shakes – the £7 six-packs of the meal replacement drinks – have also been security-tagged by some stores after disappearing en masse from shelves.

Allotment theft is rising, with people stealing vegetables and fruit to combat higher food prices, while dodgy claims for car crashes are up by 70 per cent with dishonest motorists deliberately writing off their cars to clear their debts, according to the Association of British Insurers.

Petrol theft is rising, mortgage fraud is on the increase, false holiday insurance claims increased by a whopping 80 per cent during the summer, and insurance giant Churchill says that one in 10 holidaymakers returns home to find their home burgled.

Shropshire is well prepared for the expected upturn. Pamela Paradise of Victim Support Shropshire says the organisation has been given additional government funds to cope. 

“Times of recession are traditionally times when crime rises. While we have not experienced a large increase in referrals yet, we are ready should they come. We have been given more government money so that we can offer additional support to victims. We can replace essential items, like broken windows or stolen keys, as well as providing emotional support.”

However, in these times of austerity, it seems none of us can insure ourselves against the full impact of the global credit crunch.