Police to get tougher on gay bashing

Police in the Netherlands will give more attention to the countering of violence against homosexuals. This was promised by minister Ivo Opstelten of Security and Justice in a discussion with gay interest group COC Nederland. According to the group's website, the police force in the Netherlands will add a 'Pink in Blue' police team which will specifically target the tackling of anti-gay violence. This kind of unit already exists in Amsterdam, among other places. Violence against homosexuals has almost doubled in the las years, according to the COC, to 1143 in 2012. The COC also announces that the minister promises further attention to the violence against LGBT's at police academies. Countering discrimination against homosexuals is also a police priority. The group asked minister Opstelten to amend the law against discrimination to allow for tougher punishment, but the minister did not want to take this on.