The Role of Data-Driven Policing in Tackling High-Risk Criminal Networks in The Netherlands

Abstract

Communication is central to organised crime, and offenders increasingly rely on encrypted phones to exchange sensitive information while avoiding detection. Although encryption is crucial for safeguarding fundamental rights and the digital safety of citizens, governments, businesses, and society, it also restricts the ability of law enforcement and judicial authorities to exercise their legal powers, as criminals exploit secure communication services for illicit purposes. In the context of High-Risk Criminal Networks (HRCNs), however, encrypted communication can become a valuable data source once law enforcement gains lawful access. Decrypted datasets have enabled the Dutch police, in collaboration with international partners, to make arrests, seize substantial quantities of drugs, and gain insight into criminal processes. As HRCNs continue to adapt their communication methods, the police must also anticipate this evolving digital landscape. One approach is to combine multiple data sources—such as ANPR, OSINT, video footage, and confiscated digital devices—to create a more comprehensive operational picture. In response, the Dutch police launched the national programme ‘data-driven collaboration’ to strengthen their ability to collect, store, analyse, and operationalise diverse forms of data. This paper discusses the future of data-driven policing (DDP) in tackling HRCNs, based on interviews with strategic key players within the Dutch police.