The latest police crime statistics show a 4% drop in recorded crime in the Netherlands, with fewer armed robberies, burglaries and muggings taking place in the first six months of this year.

In total, just over half a million crimes were reported to the police in the six months to the end of June. Of them, 28% were solved, in line with the previous six months.

The number of armed robberies was down 25% compared with a year ago. There were also 16% fewer muggings and burglaries. But bike and motorbike thefts were up 11%, the police figures show.

Maastricht

According to broadcaster RTL news, Maastricht is the crime capital of the Netherlands. The number of ‘high impact crimes’ in the Limburg city was 95% above the national average.

In total, there were 1,203 robberies, burglaries, muggings and serious assaults in the first six months of the year in Maastricht, the broadcaster said.

In terms of the total number of crimes, Amsterdam led the pack. Amsterdam was also home to the most public order offences, muggings and pickpocketing.

RTL highlighted a number of other key figures from the police report. Most cars were stolen in Utrecht, and Rotterdam led the way in terms of weapons trading and serious public assault.

But crime is not confined to the big cities. In the small town of Schagen in Noord-Holland there were 590 reports of vandalism. In Velsen, 40 sex crimes were reported and in Zeist police were alerted to 33 fires or explosions, RTL said.