Rotterdam car thefts rise by nearly 30% in early 2026

Car thefts in Rotterdam have increased significantly, with the number of stolen items from vehicles rising by nearly 30% during the first seven months of 2026. This represents an additional 706 thefts compared to the same period last year.

While Amsterdam still records the highest number of thefts, the gap between the two cities is narrowing. Amsterdam saw a decrease from 4,079 to 3,533 incidents, while Rotterdam's surge is nearly six times larger than the slight national decline in vehicle thefts.

Across the Netherlands, the total number of registered thefts from motor vehicles remained relatively stable, with a minor decrease of 120 incidents compared to the previous year. However, regional trends vary widely. While Eindhoven and Amsterdam reported decreases, cities such as The Hague, Utrecht, Nijmegen, and Schiedam saw increases. Smaller municipalities also experienced sharp percentage rises, including Ridderkerk and Leeuwarden.