We rarely take clothes from a suspect, more often we might take a Rolex which young people see as a status symbol,’ – Rotterdam police chief

Police in the Dutch city of Rotterdam will start confiscating clothes and jewelery from young gangsters.
The trial scheme will see trained agents approach criminal suspects and ask them to prove how they got their expensive merchandise. If they cannot, police can confiscate the items.
The idea is the brainchild of no-nonsense police chief Frank Paauw and specifically targets drug gangs in the west of the city.

Chief Paauw told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: ‘Some young people now walk around with jackets costing 1,800 euros. They do not have any income, so the question is how they got them.
‘These young people have no income, sometimes even debts from a previous conviction, but also wear an outfit that exceeds 1,500 euros. It undermines the law and sends a false signal to locals. Taking away is therefore important’

Dutch fashion police will ask young people to provide proof of affordability if they feel items are beyond the scope of young people

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We do the same with the “big players” who see their expensive automobiles  confiscated on similar grounds after a verdict by a judge.’

He added: ‘We rarely take clothes from a suspect, more often we might take a Rolex which young people see as a status symbol.’
A spokesperson for the city’s police department said: ‘The policy is targeted at a gang which is very, very well known by police officers and people that live there.
‘Should a member be arrested for a crime like drug dealing we want to see if we can confiscate an expensive watch, coat or whatever if we think it was bought with the profits of those crimes.
‘We do the same with the “big players” who see their Ferraris confiscated on similar grounds after a verdict by a judge.’