Sharp Rise in Robberies in 2025 — Many Suspects Are Minors
Police report a surprising increase in robberies after years of decline, with minors often behind quick hit-and-run attacks.
After several years of falling numbers, the Netherlands has seen a sharp rise in robberies during the first months of 2025. Up to April, police recorded 218 robberies, compared to 149 in the same period last year. This is surprising, especially since robberies had steadily dropped from 1,120 in 2017 to about 500 in 2023 and 2024.
More minors involved
A major concern is the growing number of young suspects, many of them minors. According to Jos van der Stap, the national robbery coordinator, these are often unplanned robberies where young people act quickly to get money or expensive items. “They take big risks,” he says. “The chance of being caught is between 60 and 70%, and they usually don’t get much out of it.”
Police arrested 182 suspects in the first three months of the year. Van der Stap warns that if young robbers aren’t caught early, they may continue until they’re eventually arrested. “A robbery can seriously harm victims, especially when weapons are involved. People can be so shocked that they need months to recover.”
Shops and stores are common targets
The increase has been especially noticeable in the retail sector. Jewellery stores, in particular, have been hit more often—14 robberies already this year, compared to 11 in all of 2024. Other common targets include opticians, phone stores, petrol stations, supermarkets, and cafés.
Van der Stap says that many of these places don’t carry much cash anymore and have strong security systems, so robbers usually don’t succeed. “Still, the damage and fear they cause are serious.”
Working with businesses to prevent more robberies
Police are working closely with store owners and security teams to improve safety. This includes having clear procedures for opening and closing, which are moments when robberies often happen. Staff are also trained to stay calm during a robbery, hand over goods or money if needed, and try to remember important details.
“The most important thing is that no one gets hurt,” says Van der Stap. “Good security cameras and clear descriptions from witnesses help us catch robbers quickly.”
While it’s still unclear why the number of robberies is going up again, police are taking action to stop the trend and protect both businesses and the public.