Rotterdam police increased stop-and-search operations by 16% in 2024

The Rotterdam police conducted over 16 percent more preventive frisks last year compared to the year before, according to figures from the municipality. The number of people frisked rose from 5,398 to 6,297. The number of vehicles subjected to preventive checks increased by more than 54 percent, from 1,537 to 2,371.

The number of confiscated weapons rose as well. In 2023, 162 weapons were seized, while last year, 238 people were arrested for carrying a weapon. The number of confiscated knives also increased, from 115 to 163.

Despite the higher number of people and vehicles searched, the total number of frisking operations carried out by police dropped by nearly 20 percent, from just under 500 to slightly fewer than 400.

Since 2002, preventive frisks have been allowed in nine areas across Rotterdam. Every six months, the committee for preventive frisking reviews new police requests. The committee is made up of representatives from the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the municipality.

According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Rotterdam recorded approximately 81.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, making it one of the municipalities with the highest crime rates in the country, alongside Amsterdam and Eindhoven.