Increased involvement of foreign crime syndicates in property crimes in the Netherlands

Foreign crime syndicates are increasingly involved in property crime in the Netherlands. Based on previously unpublished police data, Omrop WNL’s NPO Radio 1 program, accessed from Het MisdaadbureauIn 25 percent of property crimes committed last year, the suspects identified were reportedly neither born in the Netherlands nor had a Dutch address and did not hold Dutch citizenship.

Notably, property crime committed by individuals not born in the Netherlands has increased from 21 per cent in 2021 to 25 per cent. Crimes committed include theft of GPS devices from agricultural vehicles, pickpocketing, and theft of e-bikes. The number of shoplifting and car theft cases is also increasing.

Criminal gangs operating in the Netherlands come from various regions, including Eastern Europe, the Balkans and South America. According to Rene Middag, the National Police’s mobile robbery coordinator, individuals who abuse asylum procedures across Europe to engage in criminal activity are also implicated in these crimes.

Midag also warned of a rise in new tactics used by these criminals across Europe, particularly acid robberies. “In some countries, there have been reports of itinerant gangs using a special acid to ‘dissolve’ front door locks, allowing a screwdriver to open the front door,” Middag noted. He added that so far there have been no incidents. This property has been reported in the Netherlands.

Middag also drew attention to a new tactic called “spit tricks.” In this strategy, criminals deliberately spit on passers-by and then offer to help clean up the mess. While distracted, they seize the opportunity to steal personal belongings. Another concern concerns fake police officers stationed by the roadside. These scammers display fake police badges and signs to signal drivers to stop for what appears to be routine inspections. However, this usually leaves the driver a victim of theft, resulting in the loss of cash and valuables.