New Year was celebrated in the Netherlands with the traditional fireworks, champagne and doughnut-like ‘oliebollen’. Unfortunately, public disorder, violence and vandalism have seemed to have become part of that tradition. Up and down the country police made 400 arrests. In spite of a large number of incidents. Police say the situation was under control.

In The Hague there were a number of fires. In Utrecht several cars were set alight. In Amsterdam 80 people were arrested, riot police were sent to clear a neighbourhood in North Amsterdam at a traditional bonfire. Riot police were also active in a neighbourhood in Nijmegen after an ambulance was hampered from answering a call. In Rotterdam, more than a thousand police were on the streets in reponse to the riots in neighbouring Hook of Holland last summer. Here 157 people were arrested.

In total people spent around 68 million euros of fireworks. That is three million euros more than last year. In the last six months Dutch police have confiscated 240,000 kilos of illegal fireworks, which is more than last year.

Many cities held organised parties. In the capital Amsterdam, 40,000 people gathered on the Museum Square.  Usually Amsterdammers see the New Year in on Dam Square, but as there is only room for 30,000 people the mayor decided to change the location.

Photo: Museum Square in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve - ANP