The reorganisation of the Dutch police network to create a national police body will take twice as long and cost twice as much as forecast, according to current affairs programme Nieuwsuur.

Nieuwsuur bases its claims on a confidential report on progress so far by justice minister Ard van der Steur.

In the report, Steur states: ‘The period allocated to organise the basis will be extended from two years to five.’ Nieuwsuur also claims the budget is being doubled from €230m to €460m.

The problems include IT failures, problems with the administration systems and concerns about the skills and quality of the work done by detectives. In particular, police officers need extra training and the computer system needs improvements, the minister says.

The creation of a national police force has had a particular impact on local initiatives and mayors need to be given more powers to make sure the public are safe in their own towns and cities, Van de Steur said.

Many local councils have now set up their own ‘police forces’ made up of ‘investigative civil servants’ or BOAs, who carry handcuffs and have the power to fine people for minor infringements.