Gang war assassinations up as murder rate falls

By Janene Pieters on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 - 13:43
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Investigators seal off an area near the scene where Luana Luz Xavier was assassinated in Amstelveen. Picture: PolitieInvestigators seal off an area near the scene where Luana Luz Xavier was assassinated in Amstelveen. Picture: Politie

There were 137 murders in the Netherlands in 2014. This is the lowest number since 1992, Elsevier reports. 

While the total number of murders decreased, there were more assassinations. These assassinations are mostly linked to the gang war currently raging based mainly in Amsterdam. There were 24 assassinations last year, more than 17 percent of the total number of murders. Assassinations usually average at about 5 to 10 percent of murders.

There was also an increase in the number of violent robberies last year. A total of 5 people were killed during robberies in 2014, three of whom were elderly. The oldest victim was 89 years old.

In the 90's the Netherlands had an average of 250 murders every year. The decline can partly be attributed to the aging population. Elderly people commit fewer crimes and are more likely to stay at home.

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