Crime in Amsterdam rises 17%, with more cyberattacks and fireworks attacks

Photo: DutchNews.nl

Registered crime increased by 17% in the Amsterdam metropolitan area last year. This includes 99 explosive attacks on businesses and homes, a record cocaine trafficking in the port of Amsterdam and a “serious” increase in cybercrime.

At a press conference to release the latest figures, Police Chief Frank Poe said authorities were particularly concerned about the increasing use of fireworks as a weapon.

“One of our concerns is related to: [organised crime] And the threats are explosions and gunfights in houses,” he said. It used to hang on the door, but now there are illegal fireworks going off.

“The market price for a petrol can that launched Cobra fireworks is clearly €1,000…and serious illegal fireworks have the same effect as grenades.”

Pow said it was difficult to identify the suspect. One reason, he said, was that victims of such crimes were not always “honest” or were reluctant to cooperate with the police for other reasons. “If you compare the numbers, in 2022 he had 99 incidents. There were already 30 explosions in homes and businesses this year, compared to 43 in the coronavirus year 2021. .

concern

Police and politicians are determined to tackle organized crime, cybercrime and youth crime, but three studies on Amsterdam Safety, Police Trends and Community Safety Reports point to a worrying picture. Many declines observed during the pandemic have been reversed, with some types of crime rebounding harder.

In 2022, a record amount of smuggled cocaine (1,522 kg) was found in the port of Amsterdam, and police raided various underground banks and ketamine factories. Reports of fraud and online crime also increased, while traditional crimes such as pickpocketing and robbery declined. Last year, pre-pandemic he was down about 50% compared to 2019.

The death toll from violence was 11, lower than in previous years, but the “borderline of violence” has been exacerbated by organized crime, according to police. Perhaps the event that garnered the most international headlines was the botched hostage crisis at his Apple Store in central Amsterdam.

Chief public prosecutor René de Bouckeler has called for greater public awareness, especially of possible online crimes. “Everyone has their homes locked, but digitally speaking, it’s often an open house,” he warned.

youth

Amsterdam mayors Femke Halsema, De Beukelaer and Paauw said the authorities are most concerned about some young people whose career paths to crime appear to be faster, steeper and more violent than ever before. It is said that

“In general, the proportion of young people involved in crime is declining, but at the same time there are more criminals and shorter career paths,” Paauw said.

“Youth crime is declining, but more concerning … We are seeing a sudden steep steepening in traditional career paths for young criminals, from stealing bikes and scooters to vandalism and break-in. Today we see young people committing violent crimes when they are usually 10 or 15 years old.

prevention

Halsema said his political focus is on protecting vulnerable young people from being lured into crime or being targeted by gangs, and on prison programs that provide alternative avenues for young people.

“But it’s hard to compete with big drug money,” she said. “Serious drug criminals are clearly targeting highly vulnerable young people with learning disabilities and offering huge sums of money.

“They think they have a great criminal record ahead of them and were taken to Dubai where they live a life of luxury, but the reality is they either die in prison cells or cry. I mean, I’m sitting next to my mother, who’s on the sofa.’