Police Received Record Number of Tips via Report Crime Anonymously

An analysis of the annual figures shows an increase in almost all report categories. This is partly due to the national public campaign ‘Keep crime out of your neighborhood’ rolled out last year. Through national spots on television, radio, and online, people were made aware of signs of organized undermining crime, so they recognize these and know what to do with these signals. The campaigns effect was immediately noticeable and led to a sharp increase in reports, for example about unexplained or undermining activities (2,941 tips, +71%). This topic ranks in the top three most reported categories.

Over 14,000 reports (+15%) related to drug crime, such as street dealing and from homes, cannabis plantations, and the production of synthetic drugs. Furthermore, tipsters shared much information about violent crimes. Regarding cases like assault, shootings, stabbing incidents, murder and manslaughter, and street robbery, M. received 3,480 tips (+36%). Also, tips following wanted notices remained consistently high, with a total of 2,727 tips (+31%) about wanted suspects.

Results

Last year, at least 3,452 suspects were tracked down partly thanks to anonymous tips. Furthermore, a total of 526 firearms and 614 stabbing and bludgeoning weapons were seized. The importance of anonymous tips was also evident from the solved cases. For example, three perpetrators of a violent robbery at a clockmaker in Zwolle were sentenced by the court to at least two years in prison. A 71-year-old man was robbed, assaulted, and threatened with a firearm in his shop. After a broadcast of Crime Watch, the police received useful tips via M.

The police also received tips via M. after images in the investigative program about a 31-year-old suspect of attempted manslaughter in the De Kuip football stadium. After the Feyenoord-Fenerbahçe match in August, he and two other Fenerbahçe supporters threw a pole with a concrete base weighing 23 kilos over a partition wall towards celebrating Feyenoord supporters. A supporter guide was hit on the head and still suffers physical complaints.

Furthermore, a 43-year-old man from The Hague was convicted for the theft of a bronze horse statue from the Kurhaus in Scheveningen. He posed as a hotel guest, removed the fifty-kilo statue from a pedestal, and hid the artwork in his suitcase. The perpetrator came to police attention after a tip via M.

There was also success beyond the borders. In Spain, a 32-year-old fugitive from Soesterberg was arrested. He was internationally wanted and still had one and a half years of prison sentence to serve. The arrest was a result of a campaign by M. in cooperation with the police, in which Dutch people living on the Spanish Costa del Sol were urged to report suspicious matters.

Police reaction

The police are pleased with the results, says Alain Meijer, the national liaison between the police and M. ‘We are glad that people know how to reach us and provide important information. Whether directly or via an anonymous tip at M. People are alert because they see that crime occurs everywhere, also in your neighborhood. Think of drug crime on the street or cannabis plantations in homes. There are also increasingly frequent explosions in residential areas. That has a huge impact on such a neighborhood. Tips from attentive neighbors can make the difference and lead us to the perpetrators.’

When an anonymous report comes in via M., the police first conduct further investigation, Meijer explains. ‘Based on an anonymous tip, we cannot immediately raid or arrest someone. The report must first be verified. Are the details correct? Is more known about a suspect or address? Further investigation can yield new facts. If those facts support the anonymous tip, we can proceed to action.’

Meld Misdaad Anoniem is an independent foundation, Meijer emphasizes finally. ‘M. is completely separate from the police. The anonymity of the reporter is paramount. Your phone details or IP address are not visible when you call. Also, no conversations are recorded and no data stored. Who you are remains unknown.’

Report anonymously at M.

M. is reachable seven days a week via phone number 0800-7000. Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 22:00 and on weekends and holidays from 9:00 to 17:00. Additionally, you can also submit a report online 24/7 via the report form at www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl.