Over 80% of Dutch think the police have an authority problem

A large majority of Dutch adults believe the national police struggle to maintain authority and want officers to take a tougher approach to crime and public disorder, according to a Hart van Nederland panel. The survey was conducted after recent unrest following Morocco's national team football matches.

A Hart van Nederland poll found that 84 percent of Dutch adults believe police struggle to maintain authority. Ten percent disagreed, and 6 percent said they had no opinion.

Support for stricter policing was even higher, with 87 percent saying police should take a tougher approach to violations and crimes.

The poll was conducted following recent incidents that required police intervention, including unrest after Morocco's matches against the Netherlands on June 30 and Canada on July 4.

After the Netherlands-Morocco match, The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen said the city experienced "serious public disorder and violence against the police." Seventeen people were arrested during the disturbances.

Following Morocco's match against Canada, police again intervened in The Hague, where dozens of people were arrested. Authorities also dealt with unrest in several other Dutch cities.