Bradford business leaders are calling for a special police unit to tackle crimes against firms in the district.

They want to see tougher action taken against criminals and are also urging the Government to make commercial crime one of its key targets.

A survey published today by Bradford Chamber of Commerce has revealed that crime against business continues to be a worry for many companies. Some entrepreneurs are also critical of the way the police deal with crime against business.

The most common incidents are vehicle damage, burglary and attempted burglary and vandalism.

Bradford firms suffer above average incidents of anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. These effect 17 per cent of firms surveyed, which is five per cent higher than the national pattern.

The average cost of crime to companies was nearly £12,000 in the last 12 months, equivalent to £79 million across the district and £12.6 billion if replicated nationally.

Over two-thirds of respondents said that crime had some impact on their business during the past year, with loss of time being a hazard for more than half of companies. Two per cent said they had been forced to relocate to avoid crime.

Other effects included worsening staff morale, increased insurance premiums and loss of business.

Three-quarters of respondents said that the police are not dealing well enough with crimes against business. And they called for a dedicated local police team addressing business crime.

Bradford Chamber president Balbir Panesar said: "Crime continues to play a major role in stifling Bradford's progress, economic and otherwise.

"Bradford's depiction as a crime-ridden city is far from the truth and there has been some good work in the last couple of years to rid the city centre of crime.

"But more needs to be done to help businesses across the district.

"Crime damages staff recruitment and company expansion but we know that challenging it can be difficult. People want to see criminals caught and punished. We want visible policing."

Sixty per cent of respondents experienced at least one incident of crime in the last 12 months, with 11 per cent suffering between six and ten crimes.

Many crimes are still going unreported, despite calls by both the Chamber and anti-crime agencies for all incidents to be logged.

Sandy Needham, the chamber's chief executive, said: "We'll share the findings with groups such as the police and the council and work with our national body to ensure the Home Office listens. We will continue to call for a more rigorous recording of crime against business, for a dedicated police team or officer to cover business crime and all-round greater recognition of the effects of crime on business."

Bradford businessman Philip Lerman suffered his fair share of vandalism and burglaries at his company.

Gangs of about 30 youths gathering outside BBN Fastnet, in Leeds Road, Laisterdyke, Bradford, damaged perimeter fencing which led to the firm being burgled a number of times.

They also climbed on the roof, causing damage, and have set fire to waste bins that had to be moved inside.

Managing director Mr Lerman praised the police for their efforts. He said: " We were suffering from vandalism caused by youngsters of no more than ten or 11.

"The damage they caused to the fence enabled burglars to break into the premises.

"The police allocated two neighbourhood constables to the area who dealt with the gangs of youths and this action seems to have done the trick."