Police: Muggers targetting Breda youth

Young people are a popular target for robbers in Breda. About half of the robbery victims in Breda is younger than 24 years old.

This is according to a study done by the police at the request of BN DeStem.

According to the study, in Breda there were 27 reported street robberies between January 1st and May 12th this year. Three of the victims were minors and 11 of them were between the ages of 18 and 24. Seniors seem to be a less popular target, with only three people between the ages of 55 and 65 years being the victim of a street robbery during that time. Remarkably, 71 percent of the victims were male and 28.6 percent were female.

In 8 of the robberies the robbers got away with a mobile phone, in five robberies they stole loose money and wallets in four. Other stolen items include bank cards or proof of identity.

"Young people are often the victims." police spokesperson Willem-Jan Uijthage said to BN DeStem, pointing out that these are not hard statistical facts, but do show a strong trend. "In 45 percent of the cases the perpetrator took off with a mobile. So don't walk around waving your phone about at four o'clock in the morning after a night out. Be careful."