Fewer young burglars

Police investigate in the house
© Hollandse Hoogte
In 2021, over 2 thousand people were registered as house burglary suspects, 24 percent fewer than in the previous year. Over the span of a decade, the number of both domestic burglaries and associated suspects has fallen by 75 percent. There are mainly fewer young suspects. The number of violent and sexual crime suspects decreased by 11 percent last year. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on the basis of new figures on registered crime suspects.

Over the past decade, the number of domestic burglaries has declined by 75 percent to 23.5 thousand. In approximately 1 out of 10 cases, the police found a suspect. In 2012, the national police force still registered 8,440 house burglary suspects; this number had fallen to 2,110 in 2021. A quarter of the suspects did not have an official residential address in the Netherlands. Whereas, in 2012, half of the suspects were under the age of 25, this had dropped to 1 out of 3 in 2021. This means that the average age of burglars has risen from 28 to 31.5 years.

CBS has not investigated causal links between the coronavirus pandemic and committed crimes; however, it is likely that crime rates in 2020 and 2021 were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken in that context. For example, working from home and limited or no options for nightlife entertainment reduced the risk of house burglary. Compared to 2020, the number of registered suspects of domestic burglary was down by 24 percent.

Registered suspects of domestic burglary
Perioden12 to 17 yrs18 to 24 yrs25 to 44 yrs45 to 64 yrs65 yrs and over
201212702960334083040
20158501940239064030
20184501090165046020
2021*190520106030020
* Provisional figures

Relatively many burglaries in the Central Netherlands region

The municipalities with the highest burglary rate (per 1,000 households) in 2021 are almost all located in the province of Utrecht and in the Gooi area. At more than 8 per 1,000 households, Zeist saw relatively the highest number of domestic burglaries. Laren (Noord-Holland), Baarn, Boekel, De Bilt, Rhenen, Gooise Meren and Veenendaal also had significantly more burglaries than the national average of 2.9 per 1,000 households. The rate was lowest in Harlingen and Dinkelland (0.5 incidents per 1,000 households). Of the four large cities, Utrecht recorded relatively the highest number of burglaries (3.8 per 1,000 households) while Rotterdam saw relatively the lowest (3.1 incidents).

Domestic burglaries, 2021
GemeentePolice-recorded domestic burglaries per 1,000 households ( per 1,000 households)
Ameland
Schiermonnikoog
Vlieland
Rozendaal
Zeist8.1
Laren (NH.)7.1
Baarn6.4
Boekel6.3
De Bilt6.2
Rhenen5.9
Gooise Meren5.9
Veenendaal5.9
Bergen (L.)5.6
Bloemendaal5.5
Vlaardingen5.3
Scherpenzeel5.1
Houten5.1
Utrechtse Heuvelrug5.1
Wassenaar5.0
Uitgeest4.9
Helmond4.9
Weesp4.8
Kerkrade4.8
Roosendaal4.8
Woudenberg4.8
Renkum4.7
Oldenzaal4.7
Sint Anthonis4.7
Nijkerk4.6
Uden4.6
Ede4.5
Lochem4.5
Oudewater4.4
Alphen-Chaam4.4
Lopik4.4
Amstelveen4.3
Zuidplas4.1
Laarbeek4.1
Almere4.1
Maasdriel4.1
Wijk bij Duurstede4.1
Woensdrecht4.1
Krimpenerwaard4.1
Gouda4.0
Ridderkerk4.0
Heemstede3.9
Deventer3.9
Blaricum3.9
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk3.9
Midden-Groningen3.9
Goirle3.9
Someren3.9
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten3.9
Leeuwarden3.8
Heemskerk3.8
Heeze-Leende3.8
Hulst3.8
Wijchen3.8
Utrecht (gemeente)3.8
Bergen op Zoom3.7
Rijswijk (ZH.)3.7
's-Gravenhage (gemeente)3.7
Waterland3.7
Haarlemmermeer3.7
Venlo3.7
Reusel-De Mierden3.6
Arnhem3.6
Deurne3.6
Baarle-Nassau3.6
Amsterdam3.6
Asten3.6
Tilburg3.6
Apeldoorn3.6
Peel en Maas3.6
Tholen3.6
Waalre3.5
Ermelo3.5
Westerveld3.5
Heiloo3.5
Putten3.5
Oss3.5
Hengelo (O.)3.5
Oostzaan3.4
Westland3.4
Brummen3.4
Barneveld3.4
's-Hertogenbosch3.4
Breda3.4
Hilversum3.3
West Maas en Waal3.3
Heerlen3.3
Lelystad3.3
Westvoorne3.3
Halderberge3.3
Landerd3.2
Nederweert3.2
Geldrop-Mierlo3.2
Bunnik3.2
Landgraaf3.2
Altena3.2
Voorst3.2
Bladel3.2
Smallingerland3.2
Tynaarlo3.2
Zeewolde3.2
Leidschendam-Voorburg3.2
Roermond3.2
Eemsdelta3.2
De Ronde Venen3.2
Nunspeet3.2
Hattem3.1
Bernheze3.1
De Wolden3.1
Sittard-Geleen3.1
Stichtse Vecht3.1
Oosterhout3.1
Rotterdam3.1
Koggenland3.1
Horst aan de Maas3.1
Oirschot3.1
Weert3.1
Zoeterwoude3.1
Woerden3.1
Vught3.1
Cranendonck3.0
Oldebroek3.0
Wageningen3.0
Overbetuwe3.0
Gorinchem3.0
Noordoostpolder3.0
Olst-Wijhe3.0
Rucphen3.0
Eindhoven3.0
Waddinxveen3.0
Hoogeveen3.0
Vijfheerenlanden3.0
Son en Breugel3.0
Wijdemeren3.0
Leudal3.0
Boxtel3.0
Amersfoort2.9
Stede Broec2.9
Beverwijk2.9
Best2.9
Maassluis2.9
Gennep2.9
Oisterwijk2.9
IJsselstein2.9
Hilvarenbeek2.8
Losser2.8
Gemert-Bakel2.8
Ouder-Amstel2.8
Uithoorn2.8
Montfoort2.8
Pijnacker-Nootdorp2.8
Renswoude2.8
Langedijk2.8
Mook en Middelaar2.8
Valkenburg aan de Geul2.8
Rijssen-Holten2.8
Bergeijk2.8
Buren2.8
Boxmeer2.8
Nijmegen2.7
Moerdijk2.7
Teylingen2.7
Brunssum2.7
Noordwijk2.7
Venray2.7
Nieuwegein2.7
Maasgouw2.7
Heerhugowaard2.7
Hof van Twente2.7
Zaanstad2.7
Westerwolde2.7
Dongen2.7
Sint-Michielsgestel2.6
Haaksbergen2.6
Groningen (gemeente)2.6
Enschede2.6
Almelo2.6
Oldambt2.6
Castricum2.6
Diemen2.6
Lingewaard2.6
Bronckhorst2.6
Beuningen2.6
Aalsmeer2.6
Zutphen2.6
Vaals2.5
Roerdalen2.5
Veldhoven2.5
Assen2.5
Waalwijk2.5
Steenbergen2.5
Velsen2.5
Emmen2.5
Huizen2.5
Oegstgeest2.5
Tiel2.5
Soest2.5
Heerde2.4
Noordenveld2.4
Hellevoetsluis2.4
Eijsden-Margraten2.4
Midden-Delfland2.4
Terneuzen2.4
Zundert2.4
Den Helder2.4
Echt-Susteren2.4
Wormerland2.4
Lansingerland2.4
Epe2.4
Mill en Sint Hubert2.4
West Betuwe2.4
Heumen2.4
Zoetermeer2.3
Zandvoort2.3
Etten-Leur2.3
Alphen aan den Rijn2.3
Albrandswaard2.3
Coevorden2.3
Gilze en Rijen2.3
Zaltbommel2.3
Hoorn2.3
Heusden2.3
Stadskanaal2.3
Schiedam2.3
Eemnes2.2
Zwijndrecht2.2
Sluis2.2
Hardenberg2.2
Meierijstad2.2
Barendrecht2.2
Wierden2.2
Staphorst2.2
Beekdaelen2.2
Elburg2.1
Druten2.1
Gulpen-Wittem2.1
Voorschoten2.1
Valkenswaard2.1
Zwolle2.1
Haarlem2.1
Berkelland2.1
Goeree-Overflakkee2.1
Hellendoorn2.1
Schouwen-Duiveland2.1
S�dwest-Frysl�n2.1
Rheden2.1
Berg en Dal2.1
Aa en Hunze2.1
Neder-Betuwe2.1
Landsmeer2.0
Brielle2.0
Geertruidenberg2.0
Harderwijk2.0
Beemster2.0
Eersel2.0
Kaag en Braassem1.9
Alblasserdam1.9
Nissewaard1.9
Westervoort1.9
Leiden1.9
Dronten1.9
Zevenaar1.9
Maastricht1.9
Vlissingen1.9
Loon op Zand1.9
Beesel1.8
Midden-Drenthe1.8
Alkmaar1.8
Kampen1.8
Delft1.8
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht1.8
Drimmelen1.8
Montferland1.8
Beek (L.)1.8
Doetinchem1.8
Lisse1.8
Reimerswaal1.7
Nieuwkoop1.7
Purmerend1.7
Edam-Volendam1.7
Bergen (NH.)1.7
Stein (L.)1.7
Doesburg1.7
Capelle aan den IJssel1.7
Winterswijk1.7
Ommen1.7
Drechterland1.7
Oost Gelre1.7
Kapelle1.7
Veendam1.7
Meppel1.7
Bunschoten1.7
Dordrecht1.6
Simpelveld1.6
Noord-Beveland1.6
Pekela1.6
Voerendaal1.6
Cuijk1.6
Borger-Odoorn1.6
Duiven1.6
Medemblik1.6
Tytsjerksteradiel1.5
Meerssen1.5
Borne1.5
Oude IJsselstreek1.5
Leusden1.5
Twenterand1.5
Grave1.5
Goes1.5
Heerenveen1.5
Leiderdorp1.5
Het Hogeland1.4
Urk1.4
Enkhuizen1.4
Waadhoeke1.4
De Fryske Marren1.3
Aalten1.3
Middelburg (Z.)1.3
Krimpen aan den IJssel1.3
Raalte1.3
Ooststellingwerf1.2
Sliedrecht1.2
Hoeksche Waard1.2
Tubbergen1.2
Hillegom1.2
Schagen1.2
Papendrecht1.2
Terschelling1.2
Dalfsen1.1
Culemborg1.1
Steenwijkerland1.1
Weststellingwerf1.0
Hollands Kroon1.0
Opsterland1.0
Dantumadiel1.0
Molenlanden1.0
Hardinxveld-Giessendam1.0
Noardeast-Frysl�n1.0
Borsele0.9
Texel0.9
Katwijk0.9
Veere0.8
Zwartewaterland0.8
Westerkwartier0.8
Opmeer0.8
Achtkarspelen0.7
Harlingen0.5
Dinkelland0.5

Also sharp decline in violent crime

As of 2012, the number of police-recorded violent and sexual crimes dropped by 31 percent, to 76 thousand in 2021. As at 1 January 2022, the police had associated 34 thousand suspects with the violent crimes that took place in 2021. Of all violent crime suspects registered in 2012, 4 in 10 were again recorded as suspects of a violent crime over the past ten years.

Violent and sexual crimes
 Assault (x 1,000)Threats and stalking (x 1,000)Sexual crimes (x 1,000)Homicide (x 1,000)Other violent crimes (x 1,000)
201257.637.39.13.92.6
201548.331.17.73.32.1
201843.026.19.12.92.2
2021*36.325.98.52.72.4
* Provisional figures

Twice as many violent crimes in large cities

In 2021, there were 4.3 police-recorded violent and sexual offences per 1,000 inhabitants. In Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam, the rate was between 8 and 9, i.e. twice as high. Vlieland, Cranendonck, Schiedam and Vlaardingen also had relatively high levels of violent crime. In the city of Utrecht, the number of crimes per 1,000 inhabitants (approximately 4.5) hardly deviated from the national average. At 1 incident per 1,000 inhabitants, the violent crime rate was lowest in Midden-Delfland, Tubbergen and Dinkelland.

Violent crimes, 2021
GemeentePolice-recorded violent and sexual offences per 1,000 inhabitants ( per 1,000 inhabitants)
Schiermonnikoog
Rozendaal
Vlieland11.7
Rotterdam8.9
's-Gravenhage (gemeente)8.3
Amsterdam8
Cranendonck7.5
Vlaardingen7.4
Schiedam7.3
Heerlen6.9
Arnhem6.6
Eindhoven6.5
Tilburg6.5
Goes6.4
Den Helder6.3
Nissewaard6.3
Vlissingen6
Zandvoort5.9
Diemen5.9
Westerwolde5.8
Veendam5.8
's-Hertogenbosch5.7
Dordrecht5.6
Venlo5.6
Helmond5.6
Zwolle5.6
Rijswijk (ZH.)5.6
Almelo5.5
Breda5.5
Sittard-Geleen5.5
Leiden5.5
Kerkrade5.5
Lelystad5.4
Roosendaal5.3
Leeuwarden5.3
Hoorn5.2
Assen5.2
Eemsdelta5.2
Nijmegen5.1
Roermond5.1
Zoetermeer5.1
Bergen op Zoom5
Zaanstad5
Smallingerland5
Brielle5
Alkmaar5
Maastricht5
Albrandswaard5
Groningen (gemeente)4.9
Oldambt4.8
Terneuzen4.8
Tiel4.8
Zutphen4.8
Delft4.8
Brunssum4.8
Pekela4.8
Enkhuizen4.6
Utrecht (gemeente)4.5
Middelburg (Z.)4.5
Venray4.5
Terschelling4.5
Almere4.5
Uithoorn4.5
Emmen4.5
Ouder-Amstel4.5
Wassenaar4.5
Ermelo4.4
Leidschendam-Voorburg4.4
Winterswijk4.4
Hellevoetsluis4.4
Maassluis4.3
Deventer4.3
Ridderkerk4.3
Capelle aan den IJssel4.3
Gouda4.2
Zeist4.2
Hilversum4.2
Boxtel4.2
Gorinchem4.2
Enschede4.2
Alphen aan den Rijn4.1
Purmerend4.1
Weert4.1
Etten-Leur4.1
Steenwijkerland4.1
Beverwijk4
Oosterhout4
Oss3.9
Berg en Dal3.9
Heerhugowaard3.9
Echt-Susteren3.9
Hengelo (O.)3.9
Uden3.9
Harderwijk3.9
Doetinchem3.9
Hulst3.9
Boxmeer3.8
Halderberge3.8
Grave3.8
Rheden3.7
Apeldoorn3.7
Gilze en Rijen3.7
Nieuwegein3.7
Haarlemmermeer3.7
Maasdriel3.7
Laren (NH.)3.7
Hardenberg3.7
Geldrop-Mierlo3.7
Haarlem3.7
Noordwijk3.7
Waalwijk3.6
Velsen3.6
Valkenswaard3.6
Heerenveen3.6
Dronten3.6
Geertruidenberg3.6
Best3.6
Noordoostpolder3.5
Moerdijk3.5
S�dwest-Frysl�n3.5
Rucphen3.5
Weststellingwerf3.4
Aalsmeer3.4
Amstelveen3.4
Stadskanaal3.4
Hoogeveen3.4
Overbetuwe3.4
Zwijndrecht3.4
Oegstgeest3.4
Coevorden3.3
Stede Broec3.3
Noord-Beveland3.3
Lansingerland3.3
Waddinxveen3.3
Wageningen3.3
Midden-Groningen3.3
Amersfoort3.3
Ooststellingwerf3.3
Vijfheerenlanden3.2
Landgraaf3.2
Baarle-Nassau3.2
Eersel3.2
Medemblik3.2
Kaag en Braassem3.2
Heiloo3.1
Bergen (L.)3.1
Vught3.1
Lochem3.1
Urk3.1
Druten3.1
Oostzaan3.1
Achtkarspelen3.1
Wijdemeren3.1
Renkum3.1
Ede3.1
Woensdrecht3
Landsmeer3
Gemert-Bakel3
Zaltbommel3
Sluis3
Woudenberg3
Wijchen3
Krimpenerwaard3
Loon op Zand3
Zuidplas3
Barendrecht2.9
Gennep2.9
Sliedrecht2.9
Zevenaar2.9
Asten2.9
Waadhoeke2.9
Kampen2.9
Beek (L.)2.9
Goirle2.9
Noardeast-Frysl�n2.9
Veldhoven2.9
Hardinxveld-Giessendam2.9
Schouwen-Duiveland2.9
Het Hogeland2.9
Huizen2.8
Heemskerk2.8
Westland2.8
Tytsjerksteradiel2.8
Leudal2.8
Schagen2.8
Mook en Middelaar2.8
Nieuwkoop2.8
Stein (L.)2.8
Nunspeet2.7
Deurne2.7
Son en Breugel2.7
Alblasserdam2.7
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk2.7
Veenendaal2.7
Heusden2.7
Zeewolde2.7
Texel2.7
Westerveld2.7
Bladel2.7
Beesel2.7
Maasgouw2.7
Ameland2.7
Hillegom2.7
Harlingen2.7
Borger-Odoorn2.7
Oldebroek2.7
Berkelland2.6
Culemborg2.6
Twenterand2.6
Katwijk2.6
Leiderdorp2.6
Epe2.6
Papendrecht2.6
Waterland2.6
Cuijk2.6
Steenbergen2.6
Dantumadiel2.6
Reimerswaal2.6
Eemnes2.6
Krimpen aan den IJssel2.6
Bunschoten2.5
Westervoort2.5
Meppel2.5
Drimmelen2.5
Pijnacker-Nootdorp2.5
Goeree-Overflakkee2.5
De Ronde Venen2.5
Voorschoten2.5
Tholen2.5
Beuningen2.5
IJsselstein2.5
Buren2.5
Heumen2.5
Oisterwijk2.5
Landerd2.5
Meierijstad2.4
Alphen-Chaam2.4
West Betuwe2.4
Barneveld2.4
Olst-Wijhe2.4
Stichtse Vecht2.4
Hollands Kroon2.4
Oost Gelre2.4
Bergen (NH.)2.4
Tynaarlo2.4
Westvoorne2.3
Blaricum2.3
Gooise Meren2.3
Renswoude2.3
Montferland2.3
Nijkerk2.3
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht2.3
Simpelveld2.3
Horst aan de Maas2.3
Hoeksche Waard2.3
Noordenveld2.3
Drechterland2.3
Someren2.3
Houten2.2
Woerden2.2
Borne2.2
Teylingen2.2
De Fryske Marren2.2
Nederweert2.2
Beekdaelen2.2
De Bilt2.2
Edam-Volendam2.2
Beemster2.2
Utrechtse Heuvelrug2.2
Langedijk2.2
Molenlanden2.2
Altena2.1
Zundert2.1
Dongen2.1
Soest2.1
Castricum2.1
Laarbeek2.1
Bloemendaal2.1
Oude IJsselstreek2.1
Oldenzaal2.1
Opsterland2.1
Doesburg2.1
Heerde2.1
Westerkwartier2.1
Oudewater2.1
Baarn2.1
Weesp2.1
Sint Anthonis2.1
Waalre2.1
Gulpen-Wittem2
Zoeterwoude2
Heeze-Leende2
Oirschot2
Peel en Maas2
Roerdalen2
Bernheze2
Elburg2
Wormerland2
Valkenburg aan de Geul2
Duiven2
Hof van Twente1.9
Lopik1.9
Putten1.9
Lingewaard1.9
Koggenland1.9
Brummen1.9
Neder-Betuwe1.9
Eijsden-Margraten1.9
Aa en Hunze1.9
West Maas en Waal1.9
Vaals1.9
Losser1.9
Meerssen1.9
Rhenen1.8
Sint-Michielsgestel1.8
Reusel-De Mierden1.8
Bergeijk1.8
Leusden1.8
Borsele1.8
Heemstede1.8
Voorst1.8
Midden-Drenthe1.8
Uitgeest1.8
Hellendoorn1.8
Raalte1.7
Lisse1.7
Haaksbergen1.7
Hilvarenbeek1.7
Rijssen-Holten1.7
Bunnik1.7
Opmeer1.7
Boekel1.6
Mill en Sint Hubert1.6
Aalten1.6
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten1.6
Ommen1.6
Scherpenzeel1.6
Zwartewaterland1.6
Hattem1.6
Wierden1.5
Montfoort1.5
Veere1.4
Staphorst1.4
Bronckhorst1.4
Voerendaal1.4
Kapelle1.3
Dalfsen1.2
De Wolden1.2
Wijk bij Duurstede1.2
Midden-Delfland1
Dinkelland0.9
Tubbergen0.9