> ... but the question of whether there are more or less police staff generally probably not that important here.

What are you talking about? A quick google shows extensive reporting on the lack of police staffing and working pressure. This has been pretty well-reported in NL over the last few years.

[0] 2018: https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2245189-personeelstekort-bi...

[1] 2019: https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/politievakbond-er-is-een...

[2] 2019: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/12/16/politie-heeft-te-weinig...

[3] 2019: https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/4936156/po...