Dutch Police Say They Need at Least €350M Extra to Keep People Safe
Police, mayors and prosecutors warn that the force needs at least €350 million extra each year to keep up with costs and crime, or face growing deficits and cuts that hit public safety.
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The Dutch police, regional mayors, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the police works council have issued a joint warning: without at least €350 million more per year, the force cannot do all its work properly. In a new policy paper, they say costs for staff care, digital security and housing have risen fast, and earlier gaps were “hidden” by running with too few people, something that is no longer possible.
Police chief Janny Knol says officers are ready every day “to keep the Netherlands safe,” but they need the money and room to do so. Mayors’ chair Hubert Bruls calls the appeal an emergency signal. The paper labels €350 million as the “absolute lower limit.” If nothing changes, the total gap could grow toward hundreds of millions by 2030, with some scenarios pointing even higher.
The police budget for 2026 is about €8.5 billion, but the force says tasks and finances are “not in balance.” Earlier government letters already warned of rising deficits in coming years. Unions have also criticized the lack of a stable multi-year budget, saying planned investments (like hiring extra officers) will suffer unless the funding hole is fixed.
What would the extra money cover?
People and care: keeping enough officers on the street and supporting them after heavy incidents.
Digital security: fighting online crime, data storage and cybersecurity.
Premises and tools: rising housing and equipment costs.
What happens next?
The appeal lands just after Budget Day. The Cabinet and Parliament will now debate whether to add money for 2026 and beyond. Last year the government set aside €280 million per year extra for security partners, but the police say the current gap is bigger and growing.
The police and local authorities say this is not about “more for the police” but about basic safety: answering calls, investigating crime and showing up where needed. Without extra funding, they warn of hard choices that the public will feel.