Six arrested in Amsterdam over attack on motorcycle officer

Police arrested six people from Amsterdam on Tuesday 10 November on suspicion of public violence (openlijke geweldpleging). The case dates back to 29 September, when a motorcycle officer was harassed and had objects thrown at him on the Burgemeester van Leeuwenlaan in Amsterdam Nieuw-West.

The suspects are two 16-year-olds, two 17-year-olds and two adults, aged 18 and 21. Four of the six are minors. Police have not ruled out further arrests.

According to police, the officer saw a boy riding a scooter without a helmet around 17:00 and signalled him to stop. The scooter had no licence plate. The boy ignored the signal and a short chase followed.

At the junction with the Burgemeester Roëllstraat, dozens of people had gathered. Several of them ran at the officer and began kicking his motorcycle, and objects were thrown at him. The officer was not injured.

Detectives opened an investigation after the incident, and it led to the arrests. Police said violence and aggression against their staff cannot be justified, and that officers must be able to do their work without being hindered.