The police in Arnhem has since Friday arrested seven people in connection with fireworks nuisance in the Geitenkamp district. Several fines were also handed out. The police could not say how many fines are involved tonight.
On Friday it was one arrest for disturbing public order. Six more arrests followed on Saturday for setting off illegal fireworks. It has been restless in the Arnhem district for several days. Last night, young people set off heavy illegal fireworks such as nitrates and cobras and a fire was set. The young people are angry about the fireworks ban that was instituted this year.
Mayor Marcouch condemns these riots. He calls it unacceptable that local residents feel unsafe in Geitenkamp. Marcouch: “Fireworks are not allowed, it has happened until then. But they do it in such a way that it undermines the safety in the neighborhood.”
‘Wheel turners who destroy the neighborhood’
The authorities have a view of some of the rioters, according to Marcouch, but they are still looking for some of them. He therefore calls on Arnhemmers to call in the police if they know where heavy fireworks are stored, or if they know who is behind the unrest. Marcouch: “It is about agitators who destroy their neighborhood, that has to stop.”
According to the mayor, the police and municipality are “on top of things” to prevent things from getting out of hand again. According to him, the police are “visible and invisible” present in Geitenkamp. This morning he went to visit the neighborhood himself.
Prohibition of fireworks possession
Marcouch said today that he understands that young people are bored because of the corona measures, but calls starting a fire selfish. He also wrote on Facebook earlier that “beeping about missing fireworks” is not appropriate this year because of the corona crisis. He does advocate organizing activities for young people on a small scale around the turn of the year. Chairman Hubert Bruls of the national security council previously suggested this.
The mayor also wants a ban on the possession of fireworks in addition to a ban on setting off fireworks. Marcouch: “It would help enforcement if they were allowed to confiscate what they find.”
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