Nature of reports changes
“Reports are becoming more complex and require more time from our staff. By focusing on the resident and smart cooperation with partners, we ensure every report gets the attention it needs,” says North Holland Police Chief Hamit Karakus.

More reports, different nature of crime
In 2025, the North Holland police registered 252,638 incident reports, an 11 percent increase compared to 2024. This growth is mainly in online fraud, cybercrime, reports about persons with unexplained behavior, and social unrest that can escalate quickly via social media. At the same time, traditional crime continued to decline. Burglaries decreased by 14 percent and shoplifting by 8 percent. Car thefts, business burglaries, and pickpocketing also declined.

Online world increasingly determines the street
In September 2025, the IJmond–Haarlem region faced intense online-fueled unrest among groups of youths. Manipulated images, threats, and rumors caused a widespread feeling of insecurity and even temporary school closures. Thanks to quick action, arrests, and visible presence on the street, the police turned the tide. The event underscored that digital dynamics increasingly have a direct impact on physical public order.

Investing in online and offline
Karakus: “To strengthen residents trust and increase their safety, both online and offline, we invest specifically in digital investigation. We invest in digital neighborhood officers, cyber teams, and strong local networks.”

Explosive growth of fake officers and cybercrime
One of the most worrying developments is the rise of fake officers. In North Holland, about 600 reports were registered until October; nationwide, there were more than 10,000. Especially elderly people are victims, which undermines their trust in the police and their own safety. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg, as many victims do not report out of shame or do not come forward. Cybercrime also continues to grow. In 2025, the police registered 3,418 reports, mainly bank helpdesk fraud and account misuse. Suspects are often young adults, while victims are mostly 65 and older.

Step out of shame
Police Chief Karakus: “Digital crime is no longer a distant issue. One click can create dozens of victims, often within hours. It pains me that victims are ashamed to report. Reporting helps us stop this form of crime.”

Explosions and robberies: often young perpetrators
In 2025, 175 explosion incidents occurred. The perpetrators are mostly youths who are recruited or offer themselves, often in the context of intimidation, drug crime, or extortion. The number of robberies also increased to 53, with many teenagers involved. This development shows that a small group of youths increasingly engage in heavier criminal behavior at an earlier age.

Traffic: almost a fatality every week
In 2025, 50 people died in traffic accidents in North Holland and about 3,400 were injured. The police registered over 9,000 accidents in total. After serious accidents, the police analyze what happened and advise road managers on adjustments to roads and intersections. Together with municipalities, Rijkswaterstaat, and the province, work is ongoing to make the seven most dangerous locations in the region safer.

Persons with unexplained behavior
Reports about persons with unexplained behavior increased by nearly 25 percent to 15,302. Currently, one in five police hours goes to situations that essentially require care. The police emphasize this is not sustainable: safety requires police, care requires care. Only with better cooperation with mental health care, neighborhood care, and crisis shelters can residents get the right help faster and police capacity remain available for street safety.

Good cooperation is crucial
Karakus: “If people with unexplained behavior get the right help faster, it prevents insecurity and relieves the police. This requires close cooperation, where every chain partner takes their role and responsibility.”

Outlook 2026: digital and close
For 2026 and beyond, the North Holland police focus on an integrated online and offline approach. Digital neighborhood officers, specialized cyber teams, and physical neighborhood teams connect online signals with what happens in neighborhoods and on the street. This allows faster intervention before digital tensions turn into physical unrest.

At the same time, extra focus is placed on youth: online and on the street. By detecting signals early, cooperating with schools, youth work, and municipalities, and being visibly present, the police want to prevent vulnerable youths from sliding further into serious crime. At the same time, the police operate within a tighter safety network, closely connected with care, municipalities, the Public Prosecution Service, and citizens, so complex problems can be tackled jointly and as early as possible. Only in this way can safety in an increasingly digital society be sustainably guaranteed.

Shared responsibility.
“Safety is not made by one alone. It requires a close network of police, municipalities, care, education, and residents. Safety is a shared responsibility. It does not lie with the police alone, but with all of us,” concludes Karakus.