The launch of the public campaign 'Strange or suspicious?' is an important step in the fight against undermining crime in the Netherlands.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and Security, the police, municipalities and other partners, focuses on increasing awareness among citizens and actively involving them in signaling and reporting suspicious situations. The first TV commercials and online campaigns will be rolled out from 13 January. This action is part of the broader strategy 'Keep crime out of your neighbourhood'.
closer than you think
The urgency for this the countryside is high. Incidents such as explosions in residential areas, the dumping of drug waste in nature reserves and violent crimes in the public domain make the impact of organised crime tangible in daily life. Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel emphasises the importance of citizen involvement in this problem.
“Criminals operate without regard for the consequences for others,” Van Weel explains. “Think of drug labs that literally explode between homes. It is often the residents themselves who first notice that something is wrong in their neighborhood. Their role in signaling and reporting suspicious situations is crucial to preventing crime. There are more well-meaning citizens than there are criminals, and together we can make a fist against this threat.”
subversion
The campaign focuses on everyday situations that may seem innocent at first, but on closer inspection can be cause for concern. Think of a seemingly normal home with excessive camera surveillance, a renovation where large quantities of barrels and boilers are lugged inside, or someone who suddenly owns expensive items with no visible source of income.
Three TV commercials explain the difference between 'strange' and 'suspicious', so that citizens learn to recognize possible criminal activity. The campaign is supported by a campaign website, interactive social media posts and online banners. Through these platforms, practical steps are shared on what people can do if they see something suspicious, such as contacting the local police officer, Meld Misdaad Anoniem or a confidential counselor.
safer neighborhood
Hanneke Ekelmans, who is responsible for tackling undermining within the police force management, emphasises that everyone can contribute to safety. “This campaign makes it clear that regardless of who you are or where you live, your alertness can make a difference. Do you see something suspicious? Report it. By taking suspicious signals seriously, the police can intervene more quickly and prevent crime. Together we can disrupt criminal networks and make our neighbourhoods safer.”
The campaign is not only aimed at individual citizens, but also at companies and organisations that often unknowingly come into contact with undermining practices. Think for example of landlords of business premises or suppliers of chemical substances, who can become involved in illegal activities without immediately realising it.a realistic yet accessible look.
The TV commercials are directed by actor and director Achmed Akkabi, known for the popular series Mocro Mafia. In this campaign, Akkabi uses the same realistic style that he used in his previous work to show the harsh reality of organized crime.
Joeri Jansen, one of the makers, explains: “Achmed selected a diverse cast for this project, so that a wide audience can identify with the situations. The scenes are raw and recognizable, and that is evident from the reactions during our research. People were touched by the realistic depiction of criminal activities and felt the urgency to take action.”
step in the right direction
'Strange or suspicious?' is the first campaign under the banner of 'Keep crime out of your neighbourhood' and thus marks the start of a broader collaboration between government, police and citizens. The aim is not only to combat organised crime, but also to strengthen social cohesion in neighbourhoods. By recognising and reporting suspicious behaviour at an early stage, the influence of criminal networks is limited and communities are given the opportunity to feel safer and stronger.
