The campaign was developed at the initiative of the Dutch police and aims to contribute to a better information position in the fight against organized crime by raising awareness, increasing knowledge about signals, and lowering barriers to reporting. The initial focus is on the Costa del Sol, the area around Málaga and Marbella.
International Cooperation
‘Organized crime does not stop at our borders but is becoming increasingly international. Combating it cannot happen without close international police cooperation,’ says Hanneke Ekelmans, portfolio holder for Investigation and Intelligence at the police. ‘Information is necessary to gain insight into criminal actions and behaviors. We work excellently with the Spanish authorities. That is why we support this special campaign from Meld Misdaad Anoniem, calling on Dutch nationals who have settled in Spain to share information.’ According to the police, Southern Spain has been attractive to Dutch criminals for years due to its location, connections with South America and North Africa, and favorable climate.
Valuable Source of Information
The Dutch community in Spain is large: tens of thousands of Dutch people live there (temporarily) or own a home. Moreover, more than four million Dutch tourists travel to Spain annually. This group can pick up valuable signals about criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or possession of weapons. ‘The Costa del Sol is not only popular with Dutch retirees and entrepreneurs but also with Dutch criminals. They mingle in networks of real estate agents, hospitality, real estate, and tourism and the international underworld,’ says the liaison officer in Spain on behalf of the Dutch police. ‘With this campaign, we want to raise awareness among the Dutch community about signals and provide a safe alternative to share that information.’
Lowering Barriers
Through Meld Misdaad Anoniem, tipsters can share information safely and anonymously – now also from Spain. ‘It is not obvious for everyone to report to the Spanish police, for example, due to language barriers or unfamiliarity with the procedure,’ says the liaison officer. ‘With M., we offer a trusted Dutch reporting point. The identity of the reporter remains guaranteed protected.’ M. receives more than 24,000 reports from the Netherlands annually. Reports from Spain must contain a Dutch link. After verification, M. forwards the information to the Dutch police, which shares it with the Spanish investigative services through established channels. ‘The Spanish police are generally very willing to act on information from the Netherlands,’ says the liaison officer. ‘Once a report gives rise to action, the Spanish colleagues can respond quickly.’
Online Campaign
The campaign is being rolled out via social media, websites, and print media aimed at the Dutch community in Southern Spain. Advertisements and posters explain signals of crime and explain how to report. This can be done online via www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl/Spanje or by phone via the international number +8000 8007000.
