Calls had gone out in local social media groups to riot in the city centre
The municipality of Meppel in the province of Drenthe has announced an ’emergency ordinance’, preventing groups of more than two forming in the city centre and station area between 17:00 and 06:00. The reason for the measure are calls on social media to riot in Meppel, but also the riots earlier this week in other cities in the Netherlands. As reported by RTV Drenthe.
The police in the city have reported that the calls to riot are widely shared via social media and that they are afraid that riots may also arise in Meppel. Accordingly, Mayor Korteland decided that the emergency ordinance take effect this afternoon.
In the city center, an area around it and the station area, no more than two people may come together at the same time without good reason. This does not apply to people from a household. Furthermore, no one is allowed to enter the area who intends to disturb public order.
Anyone who violates the emergency ordinance risks a maximum of three months in prison or a fine of 4,350 euros.
Image: (not of a riot in the Netherlands) by LT Chan via Pexels
