Police step in as Urk youths set off heavy fireworks
About fifty young people, some made up as Zwarte Piet, let off fireworks on a roundabout in Urk after the Sinterklaas arrival, days after the mayor warned of a hefty fine for face-covering make-up.
i
Illustrative photo: paul naveda / CC0Police intervened on Saturday evening in Urk after a group of about fifty young people, some made up as Zwarte Piet, set off fireworks following the Sinterklaas arrival. Police spokesman Wim Hoonhout confirmed that "very heavy fireworks" were used on the roundabout at De Akkers and Lange Dam, the so-called "relrotonde" (riot roundabout).
Why it matters
- Since this year, face-covering make-up can fall under Urk's local ban on face-covering clothing; the mayor has threatened a hefty fine.
- Twenty young people who regularly cause unrest have had a final warning: a repeat offence within three years brings a €2,500 fine.
A short but fierce fire broke out, and the fire brigade had to put out flames on the roundabout and in a hedge on the Lange Dam. Around midnight the young people went home and calm returned. Hoonhout said nobody was arrested and officers did not have to use force. Police do not rule out arresting suspects later.
Earlier in the week mayor Jaspers Faijer announced extra measures for the arrival: police, boa's (municipal enforcement officers), youth workers and a parents' watch would be on extra alert. Both roetveegpieten (Piet figures with soot smudges) and made-up Zwarte Piet characters were present at the arrival itself.
Jan Anker, chairman of the foundation that organises the Sinterklaas arrival in Urk, wrote on social media that a group of "illegal pieten" caused nuisance at the arrival site and at the Nettorama. He called it a sour note on the evening, but said he looked back on the arrival as more than satisfactory.
Fireworks offences are also rising among young people nationally. CBS counted 640 young people referred to the Halt youth diversion programme for fireworks offences in 2025, up from 440 in 2020 and 490 in 2023.
Young people in Halt cases for fireworks offences rise to 640
Young people · 2020–2025
Young people in Halt cases for fireworks offences rise to 640 (young people). From 440 in 2020 to 640 in 2025; highest 640 in 2025, lowest 440 in 2020. Source: CBS.
View data
| Period | Young people |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 440 |
| 2021 | 450 |
| 2022 | 440 |
| 2023 | 490 |
| 2024 | 620 |
| 2025 | 640 |
More on safety and emergencies
See more of NLnow in Google: add it as a preferred source