Crime rate falls across the board, new police figures show

Fewer crimes were committed in the Netherlands in 2013 and more muggings, burglaries and armed robberies were solved, according to new police figures.

‘This shows the police have booked good results, despite the major reorganisation which started last year,’ national police chief Gerard Bouman said in a statement.

Police last year focused on crimes which have ‘a particularly serious impact’ on people, such as robberies and burglary.

In total, police recorded 92,285 violent crimes last year, down 7% on 2012. The number of armed robberies fell 18% to 1,833, burglaries were down 5% at 87,177 and muggings fell 12% to 7,017.

Just over one-third of crimes were solved, the figures show. Police expect a further 10% of 2013’s crimes to be solved in 2014.

There was, however, a 13% increase in pickpocketing offences. In 50% of cases, a mobile phone was the target.

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