Crime Suspicions Among Asylum Migrants Remain Stable, New Data Shows

The number of asylum migrants suspected of criminal offenses remained stable in 2025, according to research by the Scientific Research and Documentation Centre (WODC). This percentage has consistently been between 3-4% for years, aligning with figures for the general Dutch population when adjusted for demographic factors like age and gender. The WODC's findings encompass 113,000 individuals housed by the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) last year, including both asylum seekers and status holders awaiting permanent housing. Many suspects originate from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, countries whose asylum seekers have a low chance of obtaining residency permits. As in previous years, unaccompanied minor foreigners (AMFs) were disproportionately represented among suspected asylum migrants. While AMFs constitute 8% of the total COA population, they accounted for 22% of those suspected of crimes. Petty theft and bicycle theft were the most common offenses, followed by violent crimes, vandalism, and public order disturbances. Police recorded over 7,500 instances involving suspected asylum migrants last year, a 23% increase from 2024, though the WODC has not identified a specific reason for this rise. Some individuals were registered multiple times, totaling 3,270 unique people. WODC researcher Sanne Noyon highlighted that these individuals are primarily teenagers without parental supervision, and their higher incidence of criminal behavior is consistent with known gender differences. She stressed the importance of adequate guidance for this group, noting that difficulties in finding suitable reception locations due to municipal hesitancy hinder the provision of necessary support, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Research is ongoing into crime prevention strategies, with suggestions including optimizing reception facility design and resident composition. The WODC report aims to inform the public debate and encourage municipalities to establish more reception locations, as approximately half of COA residents are currently in emergency facilities lacking adequate amenities that could aid in maintaining order. Incidents within COA locations, primarily verbal and physical aggression, increased by about 6%, mirroring the rise in the overall COA population.