NCJ Number
146983
Date Published
1991
Length
77 pages
Annotation
In addition to providing statistics and information on crime trends in the Netherlands from 1980 through 1990, this report addresses crime prevention efforts, fear of crime, and victim characteristics.
Abstract
Data were obtained from police records, national victimization surveys, business victimization surveys, and a standardized population survey. Police statistics show that crime in the Netherlands rose to a high level during the 1970's and the first half of the 1980's. In recent years, reported crime has shown a slight increase, and in 1990 a modest decrease occurred for the first time. Victimization surveys show that in the first half of the 1980's, petty crime against private households increased every year. In the second half of the decade, there was a modest decrease, and in recent years it has remained at the same level. Fear of crime among the Dutch citizenry increased slightly during the 1980's; recent data show that fear of crime is remaining stable, although public opinion surveys show that citizens consider crime to be a major problem. Young people are more at risk for victimization than older people, especially for offenses such as bicycle theft, threat, and sexual assault. Victimization risks are highest in urban areas and in cities with a high population density. Since 1980, more Dutch citizens are taking preventive measures, although there was a leveling off of this effort in 1990. Four out of five business firms take preventive measure, most often the installation of burglary safe locks. 41 tables and 28 references