It is good that the police acknowledge that mistakes have been made, the relatives of the victims of the double murder in Weiteveen think. They thereby respond to the report on the Weiteveen case. In it, the police acknowledges that they have made mistakes in the run -up to the fatal violent crime. But the image that nobody saw this coming simply is incorrect, they state in a statement drawn up with their lawyer Sébas Diekstra.
The family falls about the remark of police chief Martin Sitalsing that the police would not have a complete picture of what had happened before the murders.
The more than eighty reports that both suspect and victims made came in through various departments. That information has never been combined, so that the police lacked a complete picture.
The remark that the police did not see it coming is one that stings, a spokesperson said on behalf of the relatives. “The declarations that have been made back and forth must have made it clear that something is wrong?”
Reason for the father of the victims to ring the bell with the police in 2023. He feared the life of his daughter and therefore insisted on action. That must have been a considerable red flag, according to the spokesman
Recognition of errors is a step, but is not enough, says the lawyer. Diekstra: “The question remains: what has all that warning yielded if no action was taken? This report shows that there were very concrete signals, but that they have been consciously ignored. Police work may be complex, but this was not. If a conflict escalates and there are clear risks, then you just have to intervene.
The relatives also announce that they are both ‘surprised and surprised’ about the openness of the report. “In any case, that is positive,” family spokesperson. “At the same time, there is the disappointment that no one is held responsible despite the many mistakes. Or fired.” He emphasizes that this is not necessarily necessary for the family. “But in this way it is very difficult to link consequences and causes.”
In addition, the relatives do not get Sam and Ineke back with it. “And their children, in turn, have lost their parents. That is the most painful conclusion that remains.