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Investigation and prosecution of criminals

In the coming years, the police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) will keep a close eye on the development of cyber crime, giving high priority to prevention.

The police, for example, will work locally and nationally on information campaigns and the prevention of cyber crime.

More criminals detected

More and more cyber criminals are being detected. To ensure that even more are caught, the government has reached agreements with the OM and the police aimed at improving capacity, quality and expertise. The Ministry of Security and Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) are responsible for combating cyber crime. More specialists are being trained to investigate child pornography or, together with businesses, prevent the handling of stolen goods. The police are also targeting radical internet postings, such as hate speech, and working on better intake of criminal complaints.

International cooperation in the fight against cyber crime

The internet does not respect national borders. There is little to stop criminals abroad stealing personal details or hacking into a computer in the Netherlands. Cyber crime is a global threat. The Netherlands is working with other countries and international organisations on laws, conventions and other measures to stop cyber crime.

The role of the Netherlands

Cyber crime can only be prevented with appropriate transnational measures. Worldwide, much has already been achieved by both governments and the private sector (e.g. secure internet banking). The Dutch government wants to strengthen the joint international approach, for example by:

  • increasing opportunities to search computer systems abroad;
  • further strengthening mutual assistance in criminal matters;
  • improving the joint filtering and blocking of harmful information.

International initiatives

Countries help each other detect internet crime 24 hours a day. The Netherlands does so through the High-Tech Crime Unit of the Dutch Police Services Agency (KLPD) and through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The NCSC collects information on ICT security and advises organisations on security.

International study

The Netherlands is calling for an international study of the nature and extent of cyber crime, the perpetrators and their working methods, for example by making agreements on an international study agenda. The EU is currently looking at which countries are willing to take part. The Netherlands is also seeking to improve international contacts. The Dutch police and the Public Prosecution Service are working more closely with other EU countries through the exchange of experts and information on cases and working methods.