Dutch police warn €350 million a year needed to "avoid losing fight against crime"
The Dutch police, regional mayors, the Public Prosecution Service, and the Central Works Council warned Monday that the force will face a multi-million euro shortfall by 2030 unless the government provides at least 350 million euros in structural annual funding, police wrote.
The warning came in a joint position paper, Altijd daar als het moet (“Always there when it’s needed”), which calls for urgent reinforcement of the police to "avoid losing the fight against crime."
The paper cites mounting pressures: 15,000 monthly reports of disturbed behavior, thousands of demonstrations, traffic accidents, and emergencies, plus more than 1,100 explosions at shops and homes.
According to the paper, 350 million euros per year is the minimum needed to sustain current capacity, not counting wider investments required against threats from state actors and organized crime. It also calls for stable policies, predictable budgets, and local flexibility. “Only in this way can the police devote money and time to what is really needed in a changing society: staying ahead of criminals, providing security, and doing justice to victims,” it states.
“The police is an anchor point in a restless society. Citizens must be able to continue trusting that the police are present and approachable, that criminals are tracked down, and that justice is done,” the partners wrote.
Police Chief Janny Knol warned the force cannot deliver without resources. “Our people are ready every day to keep the Netherlands safe. We can only do that if we get the space and resources needed. This is not about the police itself, but about the safety of everyone in this country.”
Hubert Bruls, chair of the regional mayors, called the paper “a cry for help.” He said 350 million euros is the bare minimum to keep the force afloat: “We would have preferred to talk about ambitions. The size of the deficit is such that realism is necessary.”
Tom Hoogkamer, deputy chair of the Central Works Council, said reliable funding is vital. “We support the position paper because it clearly explains why solid structural financing and regulatory space are absolutely essential. Police officers want nothing more than to keep this country safe, but this cannot be done without a sufficient number of people, resources, and support.”
