Dutch Police Launch Major Cybercrime Overhaul Across Entire Force
The national police in the Netherlands are undergoing a major restructuring that will make tackling cybercrime a daily responsibility for all 60,000 officers, as online offences now account for more than half of all criminal activity.
According to Stan Duijf, head of the police cybercrime strategy, the change is necessary because fraud, threats, theft, and extortion have increasingly moved online. He said digital crime can no longer be treated as a specialist field but must become part of everyday policing across the country.
The reform is already being implemented in training and deployment. New recruits now receive digital skills education, including how to handle online fraud reports, while officers with cyber expertise are being integrated into local police teams nationwide.
Authorities acknowledged that many online crime cases were previously not investigated due to limited resources or perceived complexity. Some victims of serious offences, including sextortion cases, were reportedly turned away in the past, leading to formal apologies from police in certain regions.
While specialist cyber units will continue to handle complex and international cases, the broader strategy focuses on identifying patterns across multiple reports. Officials say online fraud alone caused around €100 million in losses in 2023, while total cyber-related damage is estimated at around €10 billion.
Duijf stressed that many victims suffer not only financial losses but also psychological harm, including shame and loss of trust. He added that analysing cases collectively rather than individually will be key to identifying larger criminal networks and preventing further damage.
The overhaul has attracted international attention, with countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom reportedly seeking information on how the Dutch system is adapting its entire police force to the growing threat of cybercrime.