THE HAGUE - More than 100 people suspected of shoplifting, pickpocketing or illegal possession of weapons were arrested during last week's actions against itinerant criminals, the Dutch police announced on Monday.

The arrests were made during house searches and other checks. For example, four were arrested in The Hague who would sell stolen baby milk powder. In Hoofddorp five shoplifters were caught red-handed and several pickpockets were caught at Amsterdam Central Station.

In the vicinity of Venlo, close to the German border, a Romanian who carried 600 kilos of raw materials for synthetic drugs was arrested. On the highway police control led to arrests of people illegally possessing weapons.

According to the police, the itinerant criminals often come from countries such as Poland, Albania and Bulgaria. They often work in well-organized gangs, travel around and exchange identity and license plates to stay out of sight of the police.

For these actions against itinerant criminals, the Dutch police received assistance from the tax authorities, the immigration and naturalization service, as well as German and Belgian colleagues.

Similar actions were launched last year in May and October, with about 60 people arrested each time.