The credit crunch is proving a boom time for Merseyside thieves. Crime Reporter Ben Rossington investigates

MERSEYSIDE businesses are fighting an increasing battle against criminals looking to profit on the black market as the credit crunch bites.

Stores across the region are under a barrage from shoplifters and burglars looking to profit from the economic misery of the global downturn.

And many, including local criminals and Eastern European teams, are stealing to order as households are forced to tighten their belts.

The Daily Post has learnt the “steal-to-order” gangs will take anything from a man’s suit to a specific toy in the knowledge they have a buyer for it.

Using foil-lined bags, spotters, distraction tactics and tried and trusted scams, they are experts in what they do.

And demand has grown as more law-abiding citizens are tempted to buy from suspicious sellers in pubs and at car boot sales to provide presents for birthdays and special events.

With unemployment rising and disposable income falling, shoplifting and attacks on businesses are on the up, according to a report by insurance giant Axa.

Based on figures from its local Liverpool customer base, Axa claims business crime is up by as much as 65% in the last six months in the city.

But those on the front line of the local business community dispute that level of increase, saying Liverpool, despite an extra 80 shops opening recently in the Liverpool One project, is suffering less than others.

Peter Jones, from Liverpool Chamber’s Business Crime Direct, said: “It’s common sense that crime goes up in hard times.

“It is on the rise. The trend lines show us that. But it is not a steep rise.

“A lot of the problem is professional gangs, who will thrive in this environment. White collar workers who have lost their jobs do not turn into burglars overnight.

“But they might be more tempted to buy something that’s on sale from a bloke in the pub. “Previously, they would have shied away from it but now, people still have birthdays, Christmas still comes and goes and now we are looking at Easter. And with tighter belts, people are more tempted to cut costs.

“There are a lot of professional gangs operating in this city, and they will only steal if there’s a market. They will steal anything for someone, from a tin of paint to a toy. As long as they know they have a buyer.

“The difficulty with figures like these are the method of recording. Axa have come up with their figures based on the percentage of claims made by their customers in a certain area. But, if they’ve only got three customers in Merseyside, what does it actually mean?

“And the police don’t record burglaries as business crimes. It goes down as ‘burglary other’ which is everything that isn’t a house, so businesses are in with sheds, schools and offices.”