Registered crime remains at same level

Dutch police forces recorded more than 1 million criminal offences in 2009. This puts registered crime at the same level as in the previous year. In 2008 the number of offences recorded by the police fell by 2 percent.

More property crime, less vandalism

In the category frequently occurring crime,  the number of property offences rose by 2 percent in 2009. Vandalism offences fell by nearly 10 percent, while violent crime remained at about the same level. The increase in property crime was caused by the substantial increase in aggravated theft (+26 percent ) and fraud (+25 percent).

Registered crime, by type of offence

Thieves target more homes and shops

Nearly 74 thousand homes were burgled in 2009, 6 percent more than in 2008. Shoplifting also increased substantially: from 37 thousand reported cases in 2008 to 40 thousand in 2009 (+9 percent).

Theft of mopeds (+15 percent ), motorcycles/scooters (+14 percent) and raids, including armed raids (+18 percent) also rose relatively strongly. On the other hand, thieves targeted fewer cars, vessels, companies, schools, sports centres and other buildings in 2009. 

The number of reported cases of pickpocketing rose by 5 percent in 2009, while street muggings fell by 5 percent.

Less vandalism in public transport

Vandalism in public transport fell spectacularly in 2009 (- 41 percent). Fewer cars were also attacked by vandals (-9 percent). Public buildings were more often targeted, however (+11 percent).

Reported cases of vandalism

Registered crime falls by most in Flevoland

The number of recorded criminal offences fell in 11 of the 24 police regions in the Netherlands in 2009. In Flevoland and Friesland, in particular, the police recorded a lot less crime, -13 percent and -8 percent respectively. In the region Brabant-Zuidoost registered crime remained at about the same level. In the other 12 regions registered crime rose, by most in the regions Zaanstreek-Waterland (+13 percent ), Drenthe (+9 percent) and Kennemerland (+9 percent).

Harry Eggen and Harm Aten