There is mounting concern that the London 2012 Olympics could see a rise in fraudulent hires and thefts.
Trade body UK Screen Association has raised fears that UK-based criminals could pose as foreign production companies to take advantage of the difficulties hire firms face in checking the validity of overseas companies.
“The Olympics will be a great opportunity for hire firms, but it will also present an increased level of risk,” said UK Screen Association acting chief executive Sarah Mackey.
Media insurance broker Allan Chapman & James hopes to be provided with a list of accredited national broadcasters from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
ACJ corporate sales director Simon Miller said that although some broadcasters and production companies would be associated with the games, it would be hard to run checks on firms that are not accredited.
“Larger companies are less likely to be hit - the most at risk are smaller companies looking to do a bit of walk-in trade,” he said.
“The problem is that the tests we’d usually recommend are impossible with overseas firms.”
UK Screen, together with ACJ, is hosting a seminar on Thursday 24 November to discuss best practice and ways to avoid falling victim to theft and fraudulent hire.
The location is yet to be decided. Mackey said she hoped the event would help UK Screen Association members “mitigate this risk through sensible precautions”.
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