Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten will meet with representatives from the catering, entertainment and grocery sectors to discuss what measures should be taken to reduce the number of robberies in these sectors.

The latest figures show that the overall number of robberies has dropped a spectacular 24 percent compared to the same period in 2009, when the ministry launched its new approach to robbery.

Supermarkets and the horeca (hotel, restaurant and catering) industry are the only two sectors to show an increase in the number of robberies.

A total of 825 robberies were committed in the Netherlands in first four months of this year. This number includes robberies of businesses and of private homes.

Last year saw a total of 2,272 robberies, compared to 2,572 in 2010 and 2,898 in 2009. Minister Opstelten wants to see the number reduced to below 1,900 by 2014.

The reduction was mostly in robberies of tobacconists, jewellery shops and petrol stations.

(gsh/imm)

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