Police have found what they are calling a ‘robbers’ den’ in the woods near Zuidlaren in Drenthe, where two Kosovo nationals lived along with what is thought to be the spoils from several burglaries.

Police were alerted by locals who reported seeing two men acting suspiciously in the woods. They found the den, a hollow in the ground covered over by plastic sheeting and hidden by branches. The two men, said to be aged 38 and 25, have been detained.

Police found jewellery, cameras and computer equipment in the den, along with blankets and sleeping bags. There have been several break-ins in nearby villages in recent weeks and police are now investigating whether there is a connection, local media said.

On Monday afternoon, Nos television reported that a third person, a 23-year-old man from Zuidlaren, had also been arrested in connection with the case. However, police declined to say what role the third man had, Nos said.