THE number of crime-related insurance claims made by companies has increased by a fifth in the past year, new figures show.

Claims for violent and forced entries into business buildings or offices more than doubled, while arson cases increased by 20 per cent, according to a report by insurance firm Axa.

The company urged businesses to conduct a review of their security arrangements, particularly because of the rise in break-ins.

Neil Mercer, of Axa, said public awareness of business crime remained low despite the millions of pounds involved. Leicester topped the city business crime list while Manchester was sixth.