Amsterdam's mayor Job Cohen has said that he would not balk at "confiscating the smart Nikes" of robbers. Speaking to daily de Telegraaf, Mr Cohen said he is worried about the increasing number of muggings and robberies in the Dutch capital.

The mayor said it should be clear to everyone that crime does not pay. New methods to bring home the message should not be shied away from, he said. Confiscating someone's nice shoes may sound odd, Mr Cohen said, but it could become a very effective measure. It should make it very clear to criminals that everything which they own illegally will be taken away. "We really have to try everything to bring down the number of muggings," the mayor told the paper.

Figures show that more people are being robbed in their own homes as banks and shops, the traditional targets, are increasing their anti-robbery protection. "Be careful when someone rings at the door. It is recommended you have a safety chain on your door so you can open it without letting unwanted visitors in. It is sad we have to resort to this, but it is done in order to prevent worse things from happening", Amsterdam's mayor said.

Shoes (Photo: FlickR/CharlesFred)