The government is working on new legislation which will allow members of the public and companies to publicise photographs of suspected vandals, shoplifters and burglars.

This is currently not allowed in law, but justice minister Ard van der Steur thinks the move would boost detection rates.  A majority of MPs also support the use of more modern methods, news agency ANP reports.

‘Research shows 71% of the Dutch support using digital resources to make criminals less anonymous,’ Van de Steur said. ‘Companies have also asked for changes in the rules on using images.’

The publication of photographs of people wanted for serious crimes such as murder and grievous bodily harm would remain restricted to the police because of the associated risks.

Strict rules will need to be applied to prevent photographs of the wrong person being shown and victims being recognised. All crimes will have to have been reported to the police and publication must only be aimed at identification, not naming and shaming, the minister said.