Dutch National Commissioner and Chief of Police visited partners in the United Kingdom

News item | 10-04-2025 | 12:44

Janny Knol (Dutch National Police Commissioner) and Fred Westerbeke (Chief of Police Rotterdam Unit / Strategic Portfolio holder for the United Kingdom) visited London earlier this week, meeting counterparts and partners at the National Crime Agency (NCA), Metropolitan Police (MET) and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

The United Kingdom is an important strategic partner country for the Dutch police.

There is a high level of close cooperation between the police forces of the Netherlands and the UK on an operational and policy level. When it comes to tackling criminal organisations, key areas of cooperation between the Netherlands and the UK include drugs trade (cocaine and heroin), money laundering, cybercrime, violent crimes, human trafficking, illegal migration and counter terrorism.

The visit of Commissioner Janny Knol and Chief of Police Fred Westerbeke was an important moment to make connections, for knowledge exchange and to maintain the close ties.  

Ambassador Paul Huijts hosted the visitors at the Residence, where the topics of discussion touched the close collaboration between the Dutch and British polices forces, and anticipating the challenges that lie ahead of us – both in the Netherlands and the UK – in terms of policing in a rapidly changing world.

Dutch National Police Commissioner Janny Knol "I noticed that despite differences in legal systems, we still have many similarities with the British and face similar challenges, for example reforming the police system. We can strengthen each other by sharing experiences. This visit has certainly contributed to that".