More victims and greater criminal diversification
After the reduction in the proportion of companies that experienced one crime or more at the national level (crime prevalence) that ENVE itself recorded between 2019 and 2021, a statistically significant rebound in said indicator is once again observed for 2023. At the national level , the prevalence per 10,000 companies increased 1.3% and this problem increased in 18 states.
Although each state merits its own analysis, trends tell us that the reactivation of the economy after the pandemic was not accompanied by public policies to prevent the incidence of crime and its diversification. In this regard, criminal violence increased against all sizes and sectors of companies, which reflects new criminal dynamics.
On the one hand, the commercial sector remains the most affected by criminal activity with a rate of 3,150 crime victims per 10,000 economic units and an increase in prevalence of 13.3% compared to 2021, however, the criminal prevalence increased 11.2% in companies in the industrial sector and 6.6% in those in the service sector. This suggests that crime is also finding ways to exploit economies that are much less diverse and exposed to the public, such as those that belong to the industrial sector (mining, hydrocarbons, etc.). That is, business groups that, in theory, have greater capabilities and resources to protect themselves.
On the other hand, medium-sized companies remain the most affected by crime with a rate of 4,899 per 10,000 economic units and an increase of 4.4% compared to 2021. A 10.9% increase in crime prevalence in micro companies also stands out. companies, something never seen before since the series was lifted in 2011.
It appears that the process of diversification of criminal activity is focusing on the exploitation of local economies. This becomes relevant when it is observed that, in 2023, extortion was positioned as one of the three most frequent crimes in 25 states.
Expected effects: more economic and social costs.
In addition to the increase in the perception of insecurity, which stands at 69.4% by 2024, the increase in criminal violence also implied higher economic costs for companies, preventing them from reaching their maximum potential. In specific terms, the cost as a result of insecurity and crime increased 17.4% from 2021 to 2023, to stand at 124.3 billion pesos, equivalent to 0.51% of GDP, an amount slightly higher than the budget allocated in terms of percentage of GDP to National Security and Police in the economic package for 2025.
More than half of this cost was allocated to spending on protective measures, such as changing or installing locks and padlocks, installing alarms or cameras, and changing doors or windows. All of this makes evident the sector’s distrust of security policy.
In this framework, 59.1% of companies considered that insecurity and crime are the main issues that affect them, above taxes (28.2%), corruption (21%) or poor application of the law (16.5% ). It stands out that, in the face of this problem, 19.8% of companies reduced their production or marketing schedules of goods or services, 15.1% suspended investment plans and 6% canceled distribution routes or sales of products.
In other words, the prevalence of crime and its associated costs lead to the partial or total interruption of economic activity, which invariably affects the development of localities (since there is less space to work and make profits).
