TYPES OF CRIME

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Forms of crime

Crime can involve violence, sex or drugs but also discrimination, road rage, undeclared work and burglary. Crime is any behaviour and any act, activity or event that is punishable by law.

Examples of crime:

Cybercrime

Anyone using the internet can be a victim of cyber crime. Examples include identity theft and child pornography. One way the government is combating this crime is through the Cyber Crime Reporting Website.

Youth crime

To increase public safety, the government is combating youth crime and antisocial behaviour by young people through swift intervention, rapid sentencing and appropriate aftercare.

Human smuggling and human trafficking

The government has taken a number of measures to combat human trafficking, including a higher maximum prison sentence for perpetrators.

Illegal posession of firearms

Substantial fines and prison sentences may be imposed for the illegal possession of firearms and illegal trade in firearms. Possession and sale of stilettos, flick knives and butterfly knives are also prohibited.

Cannabis cultivation

Cannabis cultivation is prohibited in the Netherlands. Cannabis growers often have ties with organised crime. Cultivation is a source of nuisance and a risk to neighbours. There is a risk, for example, of fire and antisocial behaviour by criminals visiting the premises.

The government will take action against people who supply equipment to grow cannabis. An Act prohibiting organised cannabis cultivation is being drafted. It will increase the powers of the police and the Public Prosecution Service to nip cannabis cultivation in the bud.

Fraud

Fraud includes benefit fraud, tax fraud and money laundering from criminal activities. The government will fight fraud by:

• confiscating laundered money and criminal assets: every year, the authorities seize tens of millions of euros and luxury goods such as boats and cars from criminals;

• creating more capacity for financial investigations by the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service-Economic Investigation Service (FIOD-ECD);

• paying more attention to financial investigations in basic police training.

Real estate

Organised criminals often buy expensive properties with the proceeds of crime. Through its national real estate steering group, the government can use property as a basis for uncovering and dismantling criminal practices. The government is studying ways to identify and combat property crime more effectively.

Benefit fraud

Personal circumstances determine the level of certain benefits. Recipients must therefore report changes in their circumstances and family income so that they do not receive benefits they are not entitled to.

Evasion of social insurance payments

---------------------------contributions and will be fined.

Illegal workers

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Undeclared workers

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Crime at travellers' sites

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Theft

The government will combat theft through:

• the Safe Homes Warranty

• preventing robberies

• the Safe Business Warranty