The Week Against Undermining is an organized one-week period during which we, together with our partners, carry out intensive actions against undermining crime, explains Wesley Frings, portfolio holder for undermining. And that is important because undermining crime affects us all. No matter how distant it may seem. While many people immediately think of the production and trade of (synthetic) drugs, you can also think of human trafficking, money laundering, or fraud in healthcare. We work on combating it as the police – just like our partners – all year round, but we use this week to emphasize it even more.
Human Trafficking, Youth, Healthcare, and Drugs
Monday focused on human trafficking with checks in the Achterhoek, targeting prostitution and labor migrants. Both the police, municipalities, and the Labor Inspectorate were involved. Besides the information gathered, the police were led to an address where possible illegal prostitution took place in Doetinchem. A woman present on site was interviewed, and further investigation is ongoing.
On Tuesday, the Zutphen region paid attention to youth. What starts as a small job can lead to a criminal career. A fatbike check took place, and in the evening, youth played football for the Undermining Cup in Eefde. The polices Mobile Media Lab was also present to educate young people. The winners of the Undermining Cup won tickets to a match of football club De Graafschap, which joined from its social role.
On Wednesday, healthcare crime was addressed, with knowledge shared and about thirty healthcare organizations in the Apeldoorn region visited preventively. Flyers were used to raise awareness of signs that may indicate criminals in healthcare, to increase willingness to report.
Thursday focused on synthetic drugs, with both visible and covert checks in the Veluwe. The most visible was in ’t Harde, organized by the Royal Military Police, but with cooperation from the police, specialist enforcement officers, and Customs. Besides strengthening the information position, nitrous oxide canisters, a baton, and various instances of soft drugs were found in controlled vehicles. In total, about two hundred road users were checked.
Cooperation
Cooperation is crucial, and this week is a good example of that. It also shows how important prevention is. We demonstrated that as well. For example, on Friday, with a flyer campaign in the rural areas of the municipalities of Lochem and Bronckhorst, to make residents resilient against criminals and increase willingness to report. So, we look back on a successful week, says Wesley Frings.
Keep Crime Out of Your Neighborhood
You know your environment best. Do you sometimes see something strange in your neighborhood or around your workplace? Maybe you find these situations odd. But did you know these can be signs of criminal activities? Signs of drug trafficking include a lot of traffic at odd hours, people meeting briefly and exchanging something, or people carrying many strange items inside. Write down what you notice and do not hesitate to report it. Reporting can be done in many ways, also completely anonymously. On www.houdmisdaaduitjebuurt.nl you can discover what suspicious signs are and what you can do if you see them and are concerned.
