Secondary schools in two neighbouring towns in the Netherlands were told to shut on Friday due to a spate of violence involving two groups of young people. All five schools in Beverwijk and Heemskerk have been closed in a bid to restore calm after images circulated of teenagers being attacked, along with AI-generated videos showing fake explosions at two schools.
Beverwijk Mayor Martijn Smit has issued a three-day emergency order, banning all gatherings of three or more people and designating areas as 'high-risk' to prevent potential gun use.
Parents were worried about their children going into school, Smit told NOS Radio, so it was wisest to have a day of calm and then go back on Monday.
Two rival groups of youths have been blamed for the escalating violence, which seemingly began with severe damage caused to a school in Beverwijk last week. Police reported the arrest of a 22-year-old man on suspicion of vandalism.
Fighting then broke out, resulting in a boy being severely injured. A disturbing TikTok video surfaced, purportedly showing the boy being kicked in the head with his mouth covered in tape.
The mayor indicated that the community is living in fear, with "very nasty videos" being circulated that involve the abuse of young people. People's pants are being ripped off, their genitals are being filmed and posted online - and really I think that's enough, he expressed.
Dutch Justice Minister Foort van Oosten remarked on the unfortunate situation, emphasizing that it is sad schools had to take such measures as every child deserves the right to education.
In response to the crisis, police stated they will work to restore calm and ensure safety, reaffirming the authority under the emergency orders from the mayors to conduct preventive searches and disperse groups.
Local sports clubs have also suspended evening training sessions, citing disturbances occurring during these times. Caroline de Plas, leader of the BBB farmer-citizen movement, expressed disbelief, stating, It's difficult to imagine this going on in normal life; we're going completely crazy.
