CRIME affected two-thirds of businesses in 2003 and the Government’s intention to tackle it should be welcomed, according to the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Commenting on the announcement in the Queen’s Speech, Alyson Howard, the chairman of the IoD in the county, said: "Crime is a major blight for small businesses and we applaud the Government's determination to tackle the problem.

“Business has the right to trade without the fear and disruption crime brings and therefore we would certainly welcome measures that help to address this problem."

The IoD also welcomed the proposed Corporate Manslaughter Bill saying it had been an original supporter of the Home Office consultation in 2000 on the need for legislation.

Ms Howard said: "An offence of Corporate Manslaughter should be a potent force in raising awareness and prompting better practice in organisations in the private and public sectors.”

The IoD said it hoped the new law would be confined to prosecution of an offending organisation, rather than as a means of finding individual scapegoats.