Over the past year, crime has directly affected more than half of the small businesses in British Columbia, according to a new report. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) revealed that 57% of small businesses reported being directly impacted by crime in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year.

The most frequent offences experienced by these businesses range from littering and loitering to theft. Nearly 50% of the small businesses have had to modify their operations due to crime and about two-thirds have invested in additional security measures such as installing cameras or window bars.

Regrettably, despite the high occurrence and increasing rate of these crimes, they often go unreported. Many small business owners do not report these incidents to the police because they are unsure whether they will receive any assistance. Emily Boston from the CFIB informed Global News that about nine out of ten small business owners feel they won’t receive help even if they file a police report.

This information is essential for anyone interested in investing or involved in the small business sector in British Columbia, as it sheds light on the challenges these businesses face and the need for improved security measures and support from law enforcement.