Amsterdam  - Fears of a terrorist attack in the Netherlands are receeding, according to a public opinion poll released Thursday to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York.

Some 27 per cent of the Dutch fear a major terrorist attack, down from 40 per cent in 2002 and 55 per cent in 2005.

The results are part of an annual study about public reactions on the 2001 World Trade Centre attacks in New York, conducted by internet polling agency peil. nl.

The number of people who think the US should blame itself for those terrorist attacks has dropped from 11 per cent in 2008 to 6 per cent this year.

And a total of 69 per cent are certain the attacks actually took place, up from 62 per cent in 2002.

Nevertheless, eight per cent are convinced the attacks were partically or completely "staged", a percentage that has remained stable over the years.

Almost half of the Dutch think national security measures have improved since 2001, with 44 percent believing they have remained the same.(dpa)