Crimes against property more often reported to the police than violent crimes

Only 28 percent of crimes are reported to the police. Crimes against property are more commonly reported to the police than violent crimes. Young people more often refrain from reporting crimes to the police than older people, except in the case of car-related crimes.

Only 28 percent of crimes reported to the police

In 2008, one quarter of Dutch were faced with at least one crime. Over the past four years, the proportion dropped from 29 to 25 percent. On average, only 28 percent of crimes were reported to the police, according to survey data about crime-reporting behaviour.

Stolen car nearly always reported to the police

Readiness to report crimes is strongly related to the type of offence. Victims of car theft nearly always (91 percent) report to the police. Crimes against property, e.g. burglary, theft from cars and violent theft are also relatively often reported. The crime-reporting rate of violent crimes is on average lower. Only 7 percent of sexual offences are reported to the police. 

Crime-reporting behaviour by type of crime, 2005/2008

Young people less often inclined to report crimes to the police

The crime-reporting rate is also low in the young population. This applies to all types of offences, save car thefts. Young people, more often than older victims report car theft or damage to their car or belongings inside the car. Only one in every five young people under the age of 25 reported bicycle theft to the police, as against half of over-65s.

Crime-reporting behaviour by age, 2005/2008

Carin Reep