28 Feb 2005

Dutch police, business unite against burglars

The Netherlands Police force has gone a step further in supporting prevention of burglaries by introducing the “Police Seal of Approval for Secure Homes”. The seal includes guidelines and advice on how to prevent crime and ensure that every home is properly secured in accordance with a set standard.

Adrie Vaarkamp, regional coordinator of the Police Seal of Approval for Secure Homes, IJsselland Police Force, says, “The introduction and use of this seal of approval is in everyone’s interest. We have spent a lot of time discussing with important external partners, such as municipalities, insurance companies, housing associations, companies that make locks and companies that install locks .”

People highly value the police advice on prevention, especially as the police force is considered to be impartial. Because the force does not have enough personnel to provide everyone with individual advice it has made agreements with the business sector.

Advice and prices
Companies employ specially qualified experts trained as prevention advisors in line with the Police Seal of Approval for Secure Homes principles. As such, they issue specially tailored advice and can also advise what the necessary security measures will cost – something the police could never do.

The advisors have to prove their reliability before the companies in question are allowed to collaborate with the police. Approximately 400,000 homes in the Netherlands have been issued with a Police Seal of Approval certificate. Records show that there are 95% fewer break-ins in these homes compared with other homes in the country.
 
Effective protection
“People in other countries are surprised to hear of this public/private partnership, but we have proved that it works in practice,” Adrie Vaarkamp says. “Businesses are en-titled to make a profit.

 

Text: Aat Booij