Amsterdam’s mayor says thieves should have their shoes confiscated

Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam has said that thieves and robbers should have their shoes confiscated to teach them about the impact of their crimes. The mayor is worried that the traditional law practices are insufficient in preventing a crime wave that has targeted small businesses and individuals.

Talking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Mayor Cohen said; “We really have to try everything to bring down the number of muggings. It is clear we need to find new methods to change the trend,” adding bizarrely that, “Confiscating their fancy shoes might sound daft, but it could be an effective measure”.

Mayor Cohen has told police officers in the city to treat thieves and robbers like organised criminals and confiscate their assets. He said, “If they have nothing expensive to take, then what about the Nike training shoes they parade around in,” and added, “We have to do everything we can to limit the number of robberies. If you are a victim of such a crime, it has a gigantic effect on you”.

The Dutch police have recently set up a national task force to combat the rise in violent muggings in Holland, which has risen by 20% across the country.

Picture courtesy of Davesneakers’