The number of sex crimes reported to the police has soared over 25% since the The Voice of Holland sex scandal broke, the AD reported on Tuesday.

In total, the police received 4,000 reports in the first three months of this year, 1,100 more than during the same period in 2021. The reports include rape, sexual assault, incest, abuse of minors and grooming, the AD said.

Last year as a whole, the number of reports rose by 800 to 12,800 when compared with 2020, and the new figures show the rise is accelerating, the AD said.

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Police sex crime expert Lidewijde van Lier told the AD that The Voice revelations may have encouraged others to come forward.

‘Many people who have had a nasty experience seem to have been affected by this news and now want to know that whatever happened to them is not okay either,’ she said.

The rise in reports comes at a time of police shortages, and lawyers say a wait of 18 months before an investigation takes place is no exception. The government is increasing spending on the police in an effort to boost police numbers.

On Monday police said they are formally investigating five cases involving public figures involved in The Voice.