Cases with a high societal impact, such as those involving murder or manslaughter, are still prioritized. And successfully: in three-quarters of murder cases, a suspect is apprehended. Additionally, the police are increasingly successful in investigations into explosions, and they are fully handling cases with promising evidence. That makes me proud, says Veurink.
More Complex
However, other investigative cases must unfortunately be concluded prematurely by the police. Veurink: This is about more than just a lack of capacity. We indeed have too few detectives, but the world has changed significantly in recent years. Cases are becoming increasingly complex and time-consuming, especially digitally. There are more and more demonstrations on the streets where we must intervene for public order. This means not only a lot of riot police deployment but also a lot of work afterwards: in the investigation.
Sharp Choices
Therefore, the police are implementing various solutions, Veurink explains. He is not only the national portfolio holder for Investigation but also the police chief of the East Netherlands Unit. For victims of crimes, it is of course very difficult that we cannot take on all cases. And also for our colleagues, who are driven and work hard on their cases. Therefore, we no longer only look at criminal law.
Alternatives
With chain partners, the police implement alternative interventions where possible, such as Victim Support or the so-called quality prosecutors. These are deputy public prosecutors who improve the quality of investigations where possible and also advise on the choices made. Together with the Public Prosecution Service, the police increasingly choose mediation, a stop conversation, or referral to assistance for frequently occurring crimes (VVC), such as vandalism or shoplifting.
Veurink: These solutions sometimes fit the problem better than criminal law. It is about setting priorities and ensuring that cases are also resolved in other ways. In ways that do justice to the interests of victims and society.
High Impact Crime
In the broadcasts of NOS and Pointer, it is about the premature closing of files that fall under High Impact Crime (HIC), such as home burglaries, open violence against individuals, threats, assault, or robberies. Between 2020-2024, the percentage of prematurely closed HIC crimes rose from 9 to 23 percent.
Frequently Occurring Crime
Also, a growing number of investigations into crimes that fall under the category of Frequently Occurring Crime (VVC) were prematurely closed during that period. These are cases about, for example, theft from motor vehicles, vandalism, shoplifting, bicycle theft, and destruction. The percentage of prematurely closed VVC cases rose from 6 percent in 2020 to 16 percent in 2024. Since 2020, there has been a stable picture regarding the successful closure of cases in the category murder and manslaughter: three out of four cases are solved, and a suspect is apprehended in those cases.
Structural Shortage in Investigation
That we cannot take on everything is timeless, says Veurink. At the same time, the increase in prematurely closed files in recent years is also related to structural shortages in investigation: we simply have too few detectives to handle all cases in this rapidly changing world. We are also actively recruiting.
Careful Assessment
In the meantime, we always first check whether a case belongs in criminal law, emphasizes Veurink. We carefully assess whether there is actually sufficient evidence. Sometimes a necessary suspect is missing, or the complainant suddenly withdraws. We do not simply close a file prematurely.
