The Dutch police have paid out millions of euros in claims following violent or wrongful arrests and damage to property since 2013, broadcaster NOS said on Saturday.

In total, the police face some 500 ‘large’ claims a year, NOS said. A claim is considered to be large if it is for more than €2,500.

Most claims related to home raids and damage to property, such as a front door which has been forced open. However, others related to ‘heavy handed arrests’ of loss of property which has been confiscated in connection with an investigation.

Claims are also made when property is damaged during a chase or if a home has to be broken into because someone could be ill or in difficulty, NOS said.

In total, the police paid out €5.8m between 2013 and mid 2017 to people claiming damage property or physical injury. Some 668 claims were made for broken-down doors and 497 for violent arrests but the NOS report does not say how many of those were honoured.

‘Every time damage is caused is one too many, but given the size of the police force… and the fact that officers have to deal with very difficult situations, the number of claims is not bad,’ spokesman Onno Meijer told the broadcaster.

However, in an effort to reduce the number of damages claims, the police are now setting up a central registration point to identify measures which can be taken, Meijer said.