The total number of tips in 2025 is 870, more than double last year. The increase is mainly due to several major cases in our unit. In February, we asked the public for help with an old, serious sexual offense case in Amersfoort. We showed the perpetrators hand prosthesis on the crime programs Opsporing Verzocht and Bureau Hengeveld. An impressive 110 tips came in, which the detectives are still working on. All information is carefully reviewed, which takes time.

Figures

  • Number of cases: 204
  • Number of tips: 870
  • Number of arrests: 42
  • Number of identifications: suspects were identified (or self-reported) in 36 cases
  • Number of solved cases: 54

Syrian deceased woman

In the summer, a 24-year-old Syrian woman went missing in Almere. A week later, she was found dead. Her ex-partner is suspected of involvement in her death but fled abroad. We asked on TV and social media for information about him and his car, and you responded massively: nearly 100 tips came in.

Successes

But the most rewarding are, of course, the cases that have been solved. Either by the public or because the perpetrator contacted the police themselves. The latter happens regularly. For example, a suspect in a shoplifting case on Leusderweg in Amersfoort came forward after appearing on regional television. And the perpetrator of a serious assault on Seinedreef in Utrecht also reached out after public exposure. Parents have also contacted us several times this year after recognizing their children in surveillance footage. We are especially proud of solving a sexual offense. A man broke into a womans home in Almere at night. By showing footage on our social media, the suspect was identified and arrested within five days.

Who?

The Investigative Communication Team focuses on strategically and tactically using communication to solve crimes. This is done in close cooperation with detectives, basic teams, the Public Prosecution Service, and program makers. And with citizens. Tipsters are invaluable. Want to know more about submitting a tip or anonymous tipping? Listen to the special podcast Tipgevers.