Approach to combating crime that undermines society

Government organisations and agencies involved in combating crime that undermines society

The Netherlands must become a less attractive environment for crime that undermines society. Various government organisations and specialists tasked with security are working to anticipate criminal activity and investigate and arrest criminals. The partners involved are:

• the police;
• Regional Information and Expertise Centres;
• the Public Prosecution Service;
• the Tax Administration;
• the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service;
• the Customs Administration;
• the Royal Military and Border Police (KMar);
• municipalities; 
• banks, transport companies, civil-law notaries, shipping companies, agriculture companies and other businesses.

These partners:

• identify criminal networks;
• deal with major actors in those networks;
• seize criminal proceeds.

All these measures serve to make criminal activity less attractive. 

Making government organisations and society more resilient to crime

In addition, central government is working to make government organisations, businesses and members of the public more resilient to crime that undermines society and to the power of drugs criminals. For example, by providing special training for politicians and government officials and by running public information campaigns.

Preventing crime that undermines society

Central government is also working to prevent crime that undermines society by, for example:

• improving security at airports and seaports to reduce the volume of drugs coming in and going out;
• taking tough action against companies and government officials who facilitate this kind of crime;
• providing alternatives for young people in vulnerable neighbourhoods who are at risk of getting involved with organised crime.

Purpose of approach to combating crime that undermines society

This joint approach, also referred to as a comprehensive approach, is aimed at:

• preventing criminal activity and punishing offenders;
• reducing opportunities for criminal activity;
• depriving criminals of resources that aid their activities;
• making the criminal business model less appealing.

Gaining more insight into crime that undermines society

All of the partners involved aim to use this joint approach to gain insight into crime that undermines society. By working together and gaining a better understanding of domestic and international criminal networks and their illegal business processes, the partners will know where and how to take action. 

New legislation and rules

Central government is preparing new legislation and rules to combat crime that undermines society. This includes legislation that will make it easier for government partners to exchange information and use that information to trace suspicious money flows.

Extra funding to combat crime that undermines society

In recent years the government has invested in a broad approach to combating crime that undermines society. This is laid out in letters to parliament on the government’s broad offensive against organised crime and its harmful effects on society:

• Letter to parliament on progress made in efforts to tackle crime that undermines society
• Letter to parliament on the broad strategy against organised crime

The Rutte IV government’s approach to combating crime that undermines society

The government wants to strengthen the efforts being made to tackle crime that undermines society. This includes amendments to the law and measures related to investigation, punishment, detention and the exchange of information. The government also wants to strengthen the police and intelligence services.