# Minister: Hengelo's local authorities responsible for youth nuisance

> Justice Minister Van Weel told MPs that the mayor, police and prosecutors are responsible for reducing youth nuisance in Hengelo's Groot Driene district, where the municipality and police received 36 reports between 1 June and 17 August 2026.

Society · published 2026-10-26 18:33 · https://nlnow.nl/a/minister-hengelo-s-local-officials-must-tackle-youth-nuisance/

Justice and Security Minister Van Weel says the local triangle of mayor, police and Public Prosecution Service (OM) has primary responsibility for tackling youth nuisance in Groot Driene, a district of Hengelo. He was answering written questions from MPs. His answer arrived on 26 October 2026.

The police told the minister that the municipality of Hengelo and the police received 36 reports of youth nuisance between 1 June and 17 August 2026. The local triangle chose a person-oriented approach (persoonsgerichte aanpak) to reduce it. Under the municipality's direction, a joint plan of action was drawn up. Interventions are coordinated on the basis of a current analysis of the groups, their dynamics and the role of individual youths.

Van Weel called it unacceptable if residents feel so unsafe that they would want to arm themselves in their own neighbourhood. He said the police act proportionately and in a targeted way, with careful case-building and, where necessary and possible, cooperation with the social domain. This sometimes takes time, he added, but it improves the chance of a lasting effect.

## Background

- **OM (Openbaar Ministerie)**: The Public Prosecution Service, which decides whether suspects are prosecuted and brings criminal cases to court.

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