THE growing threat of cyber-crime took centre stage at a county summit.

More than 100 delegates were at the third annual Dorset Business Crime Conference at Hamworthy Club near Wimborne.

The event was held by Dorset police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The Home Office says almost one in four small businesses has been the victim of crime in the past two years.

Mr Underhill urged businesses to report all crimes to the police so the force had a true picture of the problem.

He said: “The threat from cyber-crime is a rapidly growing problem.

“I would urge businesses to stay safe and make use of the tools available, including our recently launched CyberSafe Campaign and the national Get Safe Online initiative.”

The event included the launch of a twice-yearly business crime newsletter and details of a new DCCI and Bournemouth University Cyber-Crime Forum that launches on September 15.

Ian Girling, chief executive of DCCI, said: “Crime is a serious issue for business and it is important that there is a strong relationship with the police.

“Organisations like DCCI and the FSB can strengthen that relationship and encourage businesses to do all that they can to guard against crime.”

FSB Dorset chairman David Ramsden: said: “Crime is one area where we can all work together for each other’s benefit.

“One first step is to report every single crime to the police to help them to help us.”

Bournemouth University, which is working with the police’s new cyber crime unit, delivered a training session during the conference, along with Get Safe Online.

PC Tim Poole and PCSO Alex Bishop from the Beaminster Safer Neighbourhood Team led a rural crime workshop, while PC David Fish held a retail crime and shoplifting clinic.

Justice minister Mike Penning contributed a video message in which he said: “A small crime in one business is a big crime in another.

“There are different types of crimes which affect margins, jobs and the prosperity of the country.

“We want to see better reporting on crime so we can understand better the effects on business.”

Places on September’s cyber crime forum are for DCCI members only and can be booked at dcci.co.uk Businesses can call 01202 714800 for more details or to register for the business crime newsletter.