ON the eve of latest crucial figures analysing the affect of crime on York businesses, the city's firms were today being urged: "Don't be complacent."

Instead they are being asked to rally at a special crime conference in March to thrash out a strategy to keep up the impetus to thwart the criminals.

The warning not to let guards drop came from Carole Patrick, development manager for the Safer York Partnership who points out that in one year 80 businesses were affected by burglary, 33 by credit card fraud, 55 by shoplifting, 42 by theft by staff, 113 by vandalism, 45 by graffiti, 94 by vehicle crime and 31 staff members were assaulted

Details of a new analysis of business crime will be announced imminently although on recent past form it is likely to show that the figures are falling drastically.

The statistics suggest starkly the success of local initiatives by Safer York partnership in which City of York Council, North Yorkshire police and other public sector agencies as well as local businesses and voluntary and community groups have united to create a safer, crime-free environment.

There were 387 incidents of credit card and cheque fraud between 2000 and 2001 - a fall of 27 per cent on the previous year.

Shoplifting cases over the same periods fell 5.2 per cent to 1,704 offences, largely due to the work of RACY - Retailers Against Crime in York.

But the 300 commercial burglaries between last May and August - more than 900 per year - show that there is still a risk of repeat victimisation of five per cent.

Carole said: "These figures suggest that in a few cases the guard is dropping and this must not be allowed to happen.

"There is no room for complacency and every reason for local businesses to double their efforts to reduce crime still more - and I urge business people to attend the Business Crime Conference to help thrash out a strategy which we can announce in April."

North Yorkshire's Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw will deliver the key note speech at the conference at Temple Hall, York St John College in Lord Mayor's Walk, York on Monday March 25 and his theme will be the need to intensify the fight.

The conference will also cover topics such as computer and Internet fraud plus business risk management from an insurer's point of view.

Carolyn Hardman, community safety officer with the Partnership has invited any business which supplies security products to exhibit their wares at the conference. She can be contacted at 01904 554617.

Phone her at the same number if you want to book a seat at the conference or e-mail pam.tinker@york.gov.uk. A small charge will be payable

Updated: 14:24 Tuesday, January 22, 2002