Vehicle theft trends show regional disparities in the Netherlands

Analysis of police data for the first seven months of 2026 shows varying trends in vehicle thefts across the Netherlands. Nationally, the number of thefts remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the same period in 2025.

Significant regional disparities exist. While Amsterdam and Eindhoven saw notable decreases in thefts, Rotterdam experienced a sharp increase. Amsterdam and Rotterdam together account for 27.5% of all registered motor vehicle thefts in the country. Other areas reporting increases include The Hague, Utrecht, Nijmegen, and Schiedam.

In the province of Fryslân, Leeuwarden reported a nearly fourfold increase in thefts, rising from 36 to 136 incidents. In contrast, the Northeast Fryslân region saw only four total thefts across four municipalities. Experts note that large percentage increases in smaller municipalities can be misleading due to low absolute numbers, suggesting that absolute figures in major cities provide a more accurate reflection of risk.