What is an Impact Statement for Business?
Under the Victims’ Code, all businesses or enterprises (such as charities) that have had criminal offences committed against them are entitled to make an Impact Statement for Business (ISB) to set out how the offence(s) have affected the business.
An Impact Statement for Business (ISB) is a written statement, which is intended to provide businesses that have been victims of crime with a voice in the criminal justice process.
Where they are considered appropriate, courts can take account of the ISB when deciding what sentence to impose on the offender(s).
An ISB gives the business an opportunity to set out the impact a crime has had on it. This can include direct financial loss, as well as wider impacts (operational disruption or reputational damage).
When should an Impact Statement be completed?
The impact statement can be taken at any time, you do not have to wait for a suspect to be arrested to provide it.
As well as crimes such as theft, the statement can cover Anti-Social Behaviour, or community problems such as begging, if it is affecting the business.
Copies of the ISB can be held by both the business and police for future relevant use.
What information should be included in the Impact Statement?
What information should NOT be included in the Impact Statement?
Who should provide the statement?
The impact statement can cover one location, a number of locations, a region or the entire business depending on size. The statement will have the most impact, if giving details of multiple offences by the same offender at one location.
A ‘nominated representative’ must be authorised to give a statement on behalf of the business and must be in a position to give evidence in court about the impact of the crime on the business, therefore a contract security guard may not be the most appropriate person.
You can download our handy ISB top tips and guidance here
Guidance on completing an ISB and template
For more information and guidcan on completing an ISB click the links below: