Crime against businesses increased in 2009, according to research conducted by The Institute of Directors (IoD).

The survey revealed that 18% of directors noticed an increase in crime in the last year, with 33% of respondents saying that their company had experienced fraud, 29% internet crime and 18% theft by a member of staff.

"It looks like one of the many side effects of this recession is that business crime is on the up. This is another nightmare for bosses to grapple with, particularly at a time when companies are already facing huge pressures," said Miles Templeman, IoD Director General.