There is information that settlements in the criminal circuit are being postponed due to the corona crisis. This is because streets are now emptier and, for example, a police helicopter can detect a getaway car more easily.

"The chance of being caught is now greater," says chairman of the Dutch Police Association Jan Struijs in De Telegraaf .

According to Struijs, organized crime is currently responding very quickly to the crisis with corona-related cybercrime, fraud and the production of counterfeit products.

“Criminals are extremely creative. Look at drug sales. Due to the closed catering and canceled events, part of the sales market has disappeared. What you are seeing now is an increase in drugs by mail,” said the chairman of the Dutch Police Association.

Brake on the detection
There is now a brake on the investigation, says Struijs: only highly necessary investigations continue. Corona crime is, however, a priority.

Investigations into organized crime with a foreign component, for example, are delayed or postponed. Because of the protective measures, it is now much more difficult to intercept a drug transport, arrest a criminal involving several countries or hear witnesses abroad.

“I hear from the 'intelligence' department that with about eighty percent of the information that is now received by the police, nothing can be done,” says Struijs.

Risk of robberies increases
The chairman of the Dutch Police Association finds it difficult to say anything about the long-term effects. "The criminal investigation department must now switch rapidly to tackling new forms of crime, in order to switch back after the corona crisis."

In addition, he is concerned that there is now less cash in circulation. “Criminals like cash and become desperate. There is a good chance of more robberies and robberies at home. More chance of using more violence. ”