6 months Ago
The disturbances began on May 1 when groups of young people clashed with one another and with the police, hurling stones, chairs, and glass bottles. Following the riots, police arrested a 17-year-old from Rotterdam and a 16-year-old from The Hague. Van Zanen expressed his dismay, saying, "Shame on you" to those involved in the violence, and pointed out that no parents had come forward to take responsibility for the young offenders.
Social Media Activity and Police Delays
The mayor explained that the riots escalated after the police intervened with the youths due to their disruptive behavior. Authorities only learned much later that young people had been using TikTok to encourage others to come to Scheveningen, although there were no direct calls for riots. Van Zanen stressed the need for the police to recognize these "soft signals" earlier and suggested that more attention should be paid to early warnings from local businesses and residents.
He also noted that he would ask the police to release images of the rioters to aid in their identification, though he acknowledged that such photos may not always be made public, especially when minors are involved.
Preventive Measures and Accountability
In response to the violence, Mayor Van Zanen expressed his willingness to introduce measures such as restraining orders to prevent the young rioters from returning to Scheveningen. He stated that such actions have been effective in other settings, like in football, and expressed his intent to act swiftly when possible to prevent future incidents. The city is now focused on holding those responsible accountable while ensuring better preparation for any future unrest.
Stay informed with DutchNews – your go-to source for the latest updates from the Netherlands and around the globe, covering trends, politics, tech, health, sports, entertainment, and more!
