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The study - Invisible Crime: A Business Crime Survey, looks at 3,900 businesses nationwide and asks a wide-ranging series of questions about the effects of criminal activity on companies.

"What we want to see is a national body that can take action, because obviously computer crime is not location specific and does not fit in to regional police forces," says BCC policy advisor Gareth Elliott.

"From our point of view there has been a worrying rise in e-crime," says Elliott. "This is really starting to affect a lot more businesses and especially those who are thinking of doing flexible and home working."

"Businesses need to use things like anti-virus and backup software as well as firewalls, and need to have strong policies," adds Elliott. "You need all the basic functions within your company."

"However we think you still need the relevant police assistance. A lot of smaller businesses will need that advice to help them tackle the problem."