In Eindhoven you report a crime (aangifte doen) online, by calling the police on 0900-8844 for an appointment, or at a police station; in an emergency you always call 112. Online reporting is only possible for less serious offences without violence, such as bicycle theft or online fraud; for violence, threats, a home burglary or a sexual offence, the police will want to speak to you in person.
Below we explain what a report is, how you file one, what happens next and what rights you have as a victim.
What does it mean to file a police report?
Filing a report means telling the police that, in your view, a criminal offence has been committed. Anyone who knows of an offence may report it, not only the victim (Article 161 of the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure, Sv).
A report is therefore broader than a personal complaint. Witnesses and other people who know about an offence can also file one. The report is recorded by an investigating officer and becomes part of the criminal file.
What is the difference between a report and a notification?
A report (aangifte) is a formal statement that is officially recorded and can lead to an investigation. A notification (melding) is only a signal to the police, without that formal status.
You make a notification when you want to tell the police about something, such as a suspicious situation or nuisance, without giving a formal statement. A notification is not recorded as a report and has no separate status under the Code of Criminal Procedure. It can still help the police, for example to see patterns in a neighbourhood.
A report is more formal. It is a statement recorded by an investigating officer, and you receive a copy (Article 163 Sv). The Supreme Court held on 4 December 2018 (ECLI:NL:HR:2018:2245) that a report keeps its legal status even if it is later withdrawn. In that case, the person who withdrew a false report of theft could still be convicted of making a false report.
Do you want your statement officially recorded, with the possibility of an investigation? Then file a report. If you only want to inform the police, a notification is often enough. If you are unsure, say so at your first contact with the police, so that your information is handled in the right way.
How do you file a report?
Orally or in writing, in person or through someone with a written power of attorney (Article 163 Sv). For certain offences, you can also report online.
The police must accept your report. Officers may not refuse it, and may not turn it into a notification without good reason. After the report has been recorded, you receive a copy. Keep that copy: you need it, for example, for your insurer or when you later want to claim compensation.
When can you report online?
Online reporting through politie.nl is meant for less serious offences without violence and without urgency. You log in with DigiD.
Typical examples are bicycle theft, pickpocketing, damage, theft from a car, online fraud and phishing. The online form asks questions about what happened. If violence or threats were used, if a home burglary or attempted burglary is involved, or if the case is urgent, the website refers you to telephone contact or an appointment. The police normally visit you in person after a home burglary. For serious offences such as sexual offences, human trafficking or child abuse, no standard online form is offered; you are referred to personal or telephone contact.
The rule of thumb: online for simple, non-violent cases; by phone or in person as soon as violence, your home, urgency or a serious offence is involved. When a crime is in progress or someone is in danger, always call 112.
What should you bring when you report?
Bring everything that helps the police understand what happened and who was involved. The more concrete your information, the better the police can assess your case.
- the date, time and location of the incident,
- names or descriptions of those involved,
- photographs, screenshots or camera footage,
- messages, emails or bank statements,
- contact details of any witnesses,
- an overview of the damage or the stolen property, with receipts or proof of ownership where possible.
Where can you go in Eindhoven?
In an emergency, call 112. If there is no emergency, call the police on 0900-8844 to make an appointment or ask for advice.
For a report by appointment or a visit to a police station, Eindhoven has the following police stations:
- Eindhoven Mathildelaan police station, Mathildelaan 4, Eindhoven,
- Eindhoven Noord police station, Michelangelolaan 4, Eindhoven,
- Eindhoven Zuid police station, Aalsterweg 290, Eindhoven.
Check the current opening hours on politie.nl beforehand, and whether you need an appointment. This can differ per station and per type of offence.
What happens after you file a report?
The report goes to the public prosecutor, who decides whether an investigation and prosecution follow. You do not decide that yourself.
The report is sent without delay to the (assistant) public prosecutor (Article 156 Sv). The public prosecutor starts an investigation where needed (Article 149 Sv). The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) then decides whether to prosecute, to issue a penalty order (strafbeschikking) or to drop the case, for example because there is not enough evidence or on grounds of public interest. Not every report leads to an investigation; the police and the OM set priorities.
The decision to prosecute lies with the OM, not with the person who filed the report. A victim’s wish that the suspect is not prosecuted does not bind the OM. The District Court of Noord-Nederland confirmed this again on 13 February 2026 (ECLI:NL:RBNNE:2026:572).
The exception is a complaint offence (klachtdelict), such as stalking (Article 285b of the Dutch Criminal Code, Sr) or defamation. For those offences, the OM can only prosecute if the victim files a formal complaint (klacht) in addition to the report. You can withdraw such a complaint within eight days after filing it (Article 67 Sr).
What are your rights as a victim?
You have the right to be informed about your case, to claim compensation in the criminal proceedings and, for certain offences, to speak at the hearing.
On request, you are informed among other things of a decision not to investigate or not to prosecute, the date and place of the court hearing and the final judgment (Article 51ac Sv). You can also join the criminal proceedings as an injured party (benadeelde partij) and claim compensation for your damage (Article 51f Sv). For serious offences, you have the right to speak at the hearing about the consequences for you. Victim Support Netherlands (Slachtofferhulp Nederland) can help you with this free of charge.
What if the OM decides not to prosecute?
Then you, as a directly interested party, can file a written complaint with the court of appeal (Article 12 Sv). You must do this within three months after you were notified of the decision not to prosecute.
The court of appeal examines whether prosecution should still take place. It can order the OM to prosecute, but that does not happen often. A complaint therefore needs a clear explanation of why prosecution is justified, supported by the documents in the case.
Why must a report be truthful?
Filing a report of an offence that you know did not take place is itself a criminal offence (Article 188 Sr).
The Amsterdam District Court convicted someone on 27 September 2024 for exactly that (ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2024:6109). As the Supreme Court held in 2018, withdrawing the report afterwards does not undo it. Always report only what you actually experienced or witnessed, and say so clearly if you are unsure about details. The Code of Criminal Procedure is available on wetten.overheid.nl.
In summary
- Anyone who knows of a criminal offence may report it (Article 161 Sv); the police must accept the report.
- Report online for simple, non-violent offences; call 0900-8844 or visit a police station for anything more serious, and 112 in an emergency.
- The OM decides whether to prosecute; for complaint offences such as stalking, a formal complaint by the victim is required.
- As a victim, you can ask for information, claim compensation as an injured party and complain to the court of appeal within three months if there is no prosecution.
- A knowingly false report is a criminal offence (Article 188 Sr).
Reporting a crime to the police in Eindhoven
What is the difference between filing a report (aangifte) and a notification (melding)?
A notification is only a signal to the police and has no formal status. A report is a statement recorded by an investigating officer. You receive a copy, and it can lead to an investigation and prosecution.
Can the police refuse to accept my report?
No. Investigating officers must accept a report. They may not refuse it or, without good reason, turn it into a mere notification. Whether an investigation follows is a separate decision by the police and the Public Prosecution Service.
Can I always file a police report online?
No. Online reporting with DigiD is meant for less serious offences without violence or urgency, such as bicycle theft, damage or online fraud. For violence, threats, a home burglary or a serious offence, you are referred to an appointment via 0900-8844 or a police station. In an emergency, call 112.
What happens after I file a report?
You receive a copy of your report. The report goes to the public prosecutor, who decides whether to investigate and prosecute. As a victim, you can ask to be kept informed, and you can claim compensation in the criminal case as an injured party.
Law & More assists victims with reports, compensation claims and complaints about decisions not to prosecute. Unsure where you stand? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know your options within one working day.
How Law & More can help you with this is explained on our criminal lawyer page.
