Police arrest 14-year-old for impersonating a policeman

Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in Zwolle for impersonating a police officer in order to rob the homes of elderly people around the city. The boy, from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht in Zuid-Holland, was working with an older man from Rotterdam.

A series of reports were made to police in the area about fake policeman knocking on the doors of houses around Zwolle, according to regional broadcaster RTV Oost. At least two houses were burgled with money and jewellery being taken.

The police identified the suspects through CCTV and arrested both of them when they were spotted in a car. The victims have had their belongings returned to them.

Young people posing as police officers is a growing crime, according to local police. A community officer told NOS that youths are being recruited by older people and are simply carrying out orders.

Last month, a 13-year-old from Spijkenisse was arrested for the same crime. He had managed to steal €20,000 worth of jewellery.

The police reported around 500 fake police agent incidents last year, according to news site NU.nl. Almost all follow a similar pattern: they make phone calls or send letters to vulnerable older people telling them there have been neighbourhood robberies and their belongings are at risk.

They then go to their houses under the guise of safeguarding them, before stealing from them.