Netherlands Sees Record Low in Home Burglaries, But Experts Warn of Cunning New Tactics

Home burglaries in the Netherlands hit a record low in 2025, with just 21,500 incidents reported. That’s a 3% drop from 2024 and a staggering 75% decrease since 2012. That’s progress worth celebrating!

However, the picture isn’t all great. While the national average is about 60 break-ins per day, regional differences tell another story. Half of the 20 largest municipalities in the Netherlands saw burglary rates rise. Utrecht, for instance, experienced a sharp 57% increase, with cases jumping from 399 to 626. Zoetermeer also reported a significant uptick.

Big cities like Amsterdam (1,547), Rotterdam (917), and The Hague (614) still lead in absolute numbers. But when adjusted for population, smaller, wealthier areas like Bloemendaal and Amstelveen show higher risks. On the flip side, provinces like Zeeland, Groningen, and Friesland boast the lowest rates, with Schiermonnikoog recording zero burglaries in 2025.

Experts attribute the long-term decline to improved home security measures, including better locks and the rise of smart technology like video doorbells, as well as increased public awareness and more people working from home.

The Burglar’s Playbook: Tricks of the Trade

Law enforcement is warning homeowners not to get too comfortable. Burglars are getting smarter, using subtle and creative tricks to check if you’re home without raising any alarm. These aren’t your typical break-in methods; they’re designed to test the waters first.

Common methods include:

• Tape and Twigs: Burglars may place a piece of tape over a doorbell to make it ring continuously or wedge a small twig or piece of paper against a door or window. If these markers remain undisturbed for several days, it signals that the home is empty.
• Blocked Keyholes: Taping or blocking a keyhole prevents residents from entering. If the obstruction isn’t removed, it’s a clear sign of prolonged absence.
• Mailbox Reconnaissance: Criminals have been known to use a smartphone camera through the mail slot to take pictures of the doormat, checking for a pile-up of mail that indicates the occupants are away.
• Deceptive Notes: A fake note left for a delivery driver, such as “Please leave the package in the shed,” can be used to intercept packages and simultaneously verify that no one is home to receive them.

Police advise that if you find suspicious items, such as tape or twigs, on your property, do not remove them yourself; instead, contact the authorities. This preserves potential evidence, like fingerprints.

Staying Safe at Home

While many burglaries in the Netherlands occur when homes are empty, criminals also use “babbeltrucs,” or chat-up tricks, to gain entry while residents are present. They may pose as a utility worker, a police officer, or a neighbor in distress, asking to use the phone or toilet to get inside.

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To protect your home, security experts recommend the following:

• Secure All Entry Points: Ensure all doors and windows, including small upper-story windows, are closed and locked with high-quality hardware.
• Create the Illusion of Presence: When away, use timers for lights, ask a neighbour to collect your mail daily, and occasionally park a car in your driveway.
• Be Vigilant: Pay attention to unusual markings around your home or unfamiliar individuals in your neighborhood.
• Handle Strangers with Caution: Never let someone you don’t know into your home. Verify the identity of any service personnel by calling their company directly.

Although stories about chalk markings on sidewalks signalling burglars are common, police have found no concrete evidence to support them. They’re typically marks left by utility companies. Nonetheless, maintaining a general state of alertness remains the best defense against property crime. Remember, that in a feeling of immediate danger or concern, always consult the proper Dutch emergency number.