The number of armed robberies on Dutch retail premises fell by 21% in the first eight months of this year to a record low of 232, according to Dutch retail council figures.

‘There has been a downward trend for the past few years. Retailers are investing a lot in prevention and the police are solving more crimes,’ spokesman Bert van Steeg told news agency ANP.

Shopkeepers are expecting a rise in the coming months. ‘From October it will be getting darker earlier in the evening and that is when criminals like to strike,’ Van Steeg said.

The retail council’s figures reflect police statistics released on Thursday which showed a 25% drop in armed robberies in the first six months of this year.

The retail council (Detailhandel) is launching a new campaign at the beginning of October to encourage shopkeepers to keep as little cash on the premises as possible and to encourage customers to use direct debit cards instead.