Dutch towns shut schools after youth violence and disturbing abuse videos

 

Authorities in the Netherlands have shut all five secondary schools in the neighbouring towns of Beverwijk and Heemskerk after a surge of youth violence and the spread of disturbing videos online. The closures followed clashes between rival groups of young people, including footage of teenagers being abused and humiliated, as well as AI-generated videos showing fake explosions at schools.

See also: (In the U.K and U.S) Sage Steele Sparks Debate with Comparison of Tributes to George Floyd and Charlie Kirk

Beverwijk Mayor Martijn Smit issued a three-day emergency order banning gatherings of three or more people, designating certain areas as “high-risk,” and granting police powers to conduct preventative searches and disperse groups. He said the decision to close schools was taken because parents feared for their children’s safety. “It was wisest to have a day of calm and then go back on Monday,” he explained.

The unrest began last week after serious vandalism at a Beverwijk school. Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the damage. Since then, violence escalated, with one boy seriously injured in a fight. A video circulating on TikTok appears to show him being kicked in the head while bound with tape. The mayor condemned the “very nasty” abuse videos being shared, which included scenes of teenagers being stripped and filmed without consent

The violent incidents and the circulation of graphic videos have shocked local residents and prompted widespread concern. Sports clubs in the region have cancelled evening training sessions, with one club explaining that disturbances typically occur during that time. Dutch Justice Minister Foort van Oosten called the situation “incredibly sad,” stressing that it is children’s right to attend school safely.

Police confirmed they are working to restore calm and ensure safety under the emergency measures imposed by the mayors of Beverwijk and Heemskerk. The restrictions allow officers to take immediate preventative actions, including stop-and-search operations and dispersal orders.

Local leaders and national politicians have expressed alarm at the scale and nature of the violence. Caroline de Plas, leader of the farmer-citizen movement BBB, said the incidents were almost unimaginable in everyday life. “We’re going completely crazy,” she remarked.

Officials hope the school closures and bans on public gatherings will provide a cooling-off period before classes resume on Monday. In the meantime, efforts are focused on de-escalating tensions between the youth groups involved and preventing further spread of harmful online content. The situation has highlighted growing concerns in the Netherlands about youth violence and the impact of social media in fueling it.

See also: UN says North Korea executing more people for watching foreign films and TV