Surprising increase in the number of robberies in 2025; Suspects are usually minors

There has been a surprising increase in the number of robberies in the first few months of 2025 after the number has dropped in the last few years. Police counted 218 robberies up to April, which is 69 more than the same period last year (149).

A total of 182 people suspected of a robbery have been arrested thus far this year. According to Jos van der Stap, the national coordinator of robberies at the police, it is often minors who are committing unplanned “hit and run” robberies. “With that, they are taking a significant risk because the chance that they are caught is around 65 to 70 percent, and the loot is often small.”

Many robberies are happening at jewelers. There have been 14 confirmed robberies at jewelers, this is a significant increase compared to last year when there were 11 robberies at jewelers during the whole year.

Drink and food establishments, supermarkets, and petrol stations are also often targeted for robberies, Van der Stap said. He does not have an explanation for the increase in robberies.

The number of robberies has decreased significantly over the last few years. In 2017, there were 1,120 confirmed robberies. This number had dropped to 500 in 2023 and 2024.