Subversion

Subversive crime

Criminals use legal businesses and services for their illegal activities. DENK of transport, storage, housing, and financial services. This blurs standards and diminishes the sense of safety and liveability. This effect is also known as subversion.

Examples of subversive activities include cannabis plantations or XTC labs in warehouses or homes, money laundering through businesses, human trafficking, and Health fraud.

Are you concerned about safety in your own neighborhood neighbourhood because of this type of criminal activity behaviour? Do you see, hear, or smell anything that doesn't seem right? Please report it. Only by working together can we keep Voorschoten safe.

Reporting can be done in 3 simple steps

1. Notice and recognise

  • Subversive crime often takes place hidden from view. However, those who pay close attention can spot the signs. Look below for characteristic signals.

2. Write down

  • Do you notice one or more of the above signs of subversion? Then make a note of striking details, such as car license plates and characteristics of suspicious persons. Also record the date and time of your findings.

3. Report

  • Report by phone

Report your suspicions to the local police via 0900-8844. Remain in the background. Would you like to remain anonymous? You can report your suspicion by calling Crimestoppers NL (Meld Misdaad Anoniem) via 0800-7000.

  • Report digitally

Do not keep your suspicions of subversive crime to yourself, but report what you know to the municipality or Crimestoppers NL (Meld Misdaad Anoniem), even if you are in doubt. To report to the municipality, you can send an email to meld.ondermijning@voorschoten.NL. 

Would you like to make a report? Pay attention to any of the following signs:

Drugs

This may involve a location where a cannabis plantation or drug lab is located, as well as the trade and dealing of drugs.

Production

  • A building equipped with security cameras or a fierce-looking guard dog
  • All windows of a building are blacked out or the shutters are constantly closed
  • The smell of cannabis or chemicals (anise or almond scent)
  • Blue drums/jugs containing chemicals in places where you would not expect them
  • Visits to a building/shed at unusual times
  • A van driving into a building to unload or unloading directly against a building
  • IBC containers (transparent white or black plastic containers in a steel frame)
  • No snow on the roof, but there is some at neighbours
  • Flickering lights caused by illegal power tapping
  • Multiple mobile phones, frequent text messages

Trade

  • Surreptitious transfer of money or packages/envelopes/pouches
  • Traffic from (known) users/dealers
  • Visitors staying in and/or near the premises for short periods
  • Cars driving past or parking (briefly)
  • Low income but a conspicuously expensive spending pattern

Money laundering

  • A shop, restaurant, or café that almost never has customers, yet remains in business
  • Business premises with no commercial activity whatsoever
  • Luxurious lifestyle that is disproportionate to the company's turnover
  • Conspicuous cash expenditures

Human trafficking

Examples of human trafficking include forced prostitution or labour exploitation.

  • Victim does not possess an identity document
  • Signs of violence on victims
  • Imposing fines for minor offences by the employer/landlord
  • Scantily clad women in inappropriate locations
  • Intuition that the prostitute is not working voluntarily

Health fraud

Examples of potential health fraud include:

  • A health facility where health clients reside is used for criminal activities
  • Health clients are being used for cannabis cultivation or there is sexual exploitation/human smuggling
  • There is sexual exploitation of health clients
  • Health clients are being threatened or intimidated
  • Healthcare facility provides no or insufficient Health, but does bill for funds from a person-specific budget

Juvenile delinquency

  • Low income but expensive clothing, new items
  • Large amounts of (unexplained) cash, possession of drugs
  • Multiple mobile phones, frequent text messages
  • Surreptitious transfer of money or packages/envelopes/pouches

What exactly does the municipality do?

The Municipality of Voorschoten aims to identify, prevent, EN combat undermining crime. This is done in cooperation with partners, such as the police.

Identifying

We identify by remaining vigilant together with residents and entrepreneurs. For instance, a public campaign demonstrates how to recognise suspicious situations. After all, together we see much more. We also aim to raise awareness so that people do not become victims of criminals themselves. 

Preventing

We want to prevent criminals from establishing themselves in our municipality. Therefore, we critically review questionable applications for matters such as licences. We also ensure that residents, entrepreneurs, and the municipality itself are resilient against criminals, among other things by providing information. 

Combating

We regularly conduct comprehensive inspections. These are inspections carried out with various partners, such as the police and the environmental service. Together, we check for any irregularities. This may result in the closure of a premises, for example, or the arrest of suspects by the police. Solving a case in our municipality often helps resolve cases in other parts of the country as well.