Heerlen tops RTL Nieuws’ Underworld Map again
RTL Nieuws’ latest Underworld Map shows that Heerlen once again ranks first among municipalities most vulnerable to subversive crime. The Underworld Map has been published. This means that, just as it did four years ago, Heerlen ranks lowest among all municipalities in the Netherlands.
Mayor Roel Wever:
“This outcome shows just how persistent the problem of subversion is. But if we in Heerlen are left with too few police officers, the problem will only get worse.”
Unfortunately, Heerlen remains an attractive location for organized crime to carry out its activities. RTL Nieuws’Underworld Mapillustrates how vulnerable municipalities are to criminal subversion. Key indicators include drug-related crime, money laundering, suspicious transactions, high-risk business sectors, and socioeconomic conditions. Subversion occurs when criminals use legal structures, such as businesses, homes, or financial systems, to conceal illegal activities. This can have far-reaching consequences for a city’s safety, livability, and economic development.
Mayor Wever: “For Heerlen, the results send a clear and alarming signal that sustained effort is needed.” In recent years, Heerlen has invested heavily in tackling subversion and strengthening vulnerable neighborhoods. This involves programs such as “Socially Safe” and “Prevention with Authority,” supplemented by family coaches and a specialized intervention team. This approach focuses on sustainably improving quality of life and addressing social undermining and nuisance. It also aims to support families and prevent young people from becoming involved in criminal networks. The recently enacted Parkstad Act helps in tackling social undermining. Since January 1, 2026, this law requires new tenants in a number of designated neighborhoods to apply for a housing permit. We assess applicants based on employment, income, and safety risks. This allows the municipality to steer toward a more balanced influx of residents.
How many warnings does The Hague need?
Since 2023, police capacity in Heerlen has decreased by nearly 30 full-time equivalents. Pressure on local safety continues to mount. According to Mayor Wever, without sufficient and sustained commitment from law enforcement and the justice system, this battle is virtually impossible to win: “How many more of these warnings and investigations does The Hague need? We are investing proactively across the board to improve living conditions. We do this by combating poverty, reducing educational disparities, improving existing housing, and limiting the influx of vulnerable households from outside the region. In this way, we reduce the breeding ground for subversion. But The Hague is diverting police resources away from this joint effort by clinging to incomprehensible calculation models on which police capacity is based.”