OSAC - Netherlands 2008 Crime & Safety Report

The risk of violent crime towards Americans is low throughout most of the Netherlands, and to our knowledge, there has never been a targeting of tourists/visitors. Throughout the Netherlands, some increase of violet crime has occurred, which is mainly limited to the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, but this remains rare. Residential thefts do occasionally occur and thieves using violence is rare.

Travelers are often targets of pickpockets and luggage thieves, which operate in groups. The theft of laptop computers at airports, trams, trains, and their stations in and around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague occur frequently. The city of Amsterdam is home to several 419 fraud rings that operate virtually unopposed by police.

Logistics services in the Netherlands occasionally encounter theft of valuable cargo on trailers parked at designated parking lots along highways and industrial areas. The road conditions in the Netherlands are superb and of European standards. However, traffic jams in and around peak hours of the day and major arteries do occur, causing highway delays throughout the country.

There have been no reported incidents of protests directed at American citizens or private industry in recent years in the Netherlands. The last violent demonstrations directed towards a U.S. government facility took place in The Hague and Amsterdam in 1998. Demonstrations, which range from small groups to thousands of participants, are primarily directed at the local government, and are often focused on matters surrounding international relations. A police presence is provided for these events to communicate with demonstrators and the public for ensuring adequate security for participants and the public. Nonetheless, situations may develop which could pose a threat to public safety. American citizens should bear in mind that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

Although demonstrations can occur anywhere, most demonstrations in The Hague begin at the Malieveld, a grass field, adjacent to Central Train Station. Typical demonstration points include embassies in the city center area, the Parliament, the Foreign Ministry, and the Peace Palace. Demonstrators usually return to the Malieveld from the last point on their route, before concluding their demonstration.

Demonstrations in Amsterdam are common at the Museumplein and at Dam Square. In the past, a few demonstrations have turned violent and involved rock-throwing by demonstrators, and the use of the water cannons by police to disperse the crowds was utilized.

Although subject to change, the Government of the Netherlands (GON) assesses the threat of a terrorist incident for the country as limited. There are four possible threat levels: minimal, limited, substantial, and critical. The level “limited” means that the chance of a terrorist attack is relatively slight, though it cannot be ruled out entirely. The GON has implemented heightened security measures for providing additional protection of infrastructure and creating public awareness. American citizens in the Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports and websites, to maintain a high level of vigilance, and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

The Netherlands tolerates the use, possession, and sale of some kinds of soft drugs under determined circumstances. Sales of five grams or less of cannabis in coffee shops are overlooked and not prosecuted. The policies toward hard drugs, such as heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine, are similar to those in the U.S. People violating Dutch laws, even knowingly, may be expelled, arrested, and held for trial, and may face possible imprisonment upon conviction and sentencing. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the U.S. for similar offenses.

The emergency telephone throughout the Netherlands is 112, equivalent to 911 in the United States, and can be used for all emergencies, i.e. fire, police, and ambulance. Operators answer in Dutch but do speak English. For non-emergencies or advice, police throughout the Netherlands can be contacted at 0900-8844.

A police report can be filed at any police station, including those at airports, and will be written in Dutch. Small police stations are closed during evening hours. Various major police forces offer special assistance and support to victims of crime.

American citizens who need replacement passports, who are arrested or detained by the police, or are victims of crime may seek assistance from the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Consulate-General in Amsterdam, which provides all consular services in the Netherlands. Valuable information about these services is available on the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam website or by calling the consulate-general during normal working hours. Additionally, a 24-hour duty officer can be reached at U.S. Embassy The Hague by calling 070-310-2407 during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Good medical facilities are widely available in the Netherlands. The national emergency number is 112. If your situation warrants, you should seek assistance from a hospital. These institutions are staffed and equipped to deal with emergency situations. Americans are strongly urged to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses. Americans who have purchased overseas medical insurance have found it to be critical when a medical emergency occurs. Emergency services (including transportation by ambulance) are not free and you will be billed for any services rendered to you. The Netherlands Association of hospitals has compiled a list of all Dutch hospitals on the following website: www.ziekenhuis.nl.

For non-emergency medical assistance, you are obliged to consult a general practitioner (“huisarts” in Dutch), before attempting to obtain non-emergency medical treatment from a specialist. The medical care sectors in the Netherlands are based on a referral system which requires patients to see a local practitioner first. Medical specialists will generally only see those patients who have been referred to them by a general practitioner. If you are staying in a hotel, contact the reception desk and they will direct you to the doctor assigned to that hotel. If you are staying with friends or family, contact their family doctor. U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam maintains a hyperlink to a list of medical professionals which can assist Americans in finding a doctor or hospital and can be accessed through the consulate general’s website: http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov

The Hague area has its own after-hours medical services (SMASH) that is available for non-emergency medical services offered at various hospitals. SMASH medical appointments can be made at 31-0-70-346-9669. The Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol) has its own 24-hr medical services office (31-0-20-649-2566) on the upper floor near check-in counter 16 of Terminal 2, which can be accessed from either gate or check-in sides.

The U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the heightened possibility of terrorist attacks against or affecting American citizens and interests abroad. As noted in the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution on October 9, 2007, terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Such targets may include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, and public areas. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, assassinations, hijackings, bombings, and kidnappings. These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests.

Travelers visiting Amsterdam should particularly pay attention to the use of so-called date rape drugs (such as Rohypnol), which can be added to or mixed in their already-served beverages and drinks at bars, rendering the victim vulnerable to assault. During night hours, visitors to train stations and entertainment areas throughout the Netherlands could become potential victims of crime and violence.

Thieves, who often operate in pairs, particularly plague the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station, Leiden, and The Hague, and operate in the trams in the city centers. One thief distracts the victim, often by asking for directions or by pretending to drop something, while an accomplice moves in on the victim’s momentarily unguarded handbag, backpack, or briefcase. Thieves typically time their theft to coincide with train and tram stops so they can quickly exit the scene. Within Amsterdam, thieves are very active in and around Central Station, wic/zuid train, tram stops near the Red Light District, in restaurants, hotels, and on public transportation routes, especially trams 1, 2, and 5 between Central Station and the Museum district.

Netherlands 2008 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety

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