Dutch police received nearly 142,000 reports of people causing problems and showing disturbed behaviour last year, beating the 2022 record by 3,000, the Telegraaf said on Monday.

Nevertheless, the strong growth seen over the past few years is now flattening off, spokesman Alfred Folkeringa told the paper. In 2019, before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of reports was under 100,000.

Many of the people at the centre of the problems have psychiatric or addition issues, while some are mentally disabled or have problematic debts, the paper said.

The police are now working more closely together with care organisations to improve the way persistent problem-makers are dealt with. ‘We know now how to work together better… and we are moving in the right direction,” Folkeringa said.

Nevertheless, he said, the issue must remain high on the police agenda. “It is about choices for more housing, care facilities, safe beds, finance and dealing with waiting lists,” he said.