How 200 cops took down Hague gang

Some 200 police officers and detectives carried out an organized offensive, early Tuesday morning in The Hague, arresting 11 criminal youth, the core of a gang of 70. 'Crime paid for these youth,' said criminologist Henk Ferwerda from the University of Groningen to NOS. The number of youth gangs has gone down with one third since 2009, to about 59 at the end of last year. The police force was not excessive, according to Ferwerda. An offensive such as this has to be carried out simultaneously to prevent suspects from tipping each other off. Officers need back-up to keep themselves and their surroundings safe. There may be firearms involved, multiple exits need to be covered, unforeseen scenarios have to be taken into account. 'It would've been better had the problem been addressed earlier. Now these youth feel like crime pays, and they resorted to burglaries, robberies, and even made victims along the way. It will be important to keep them away from crime,' said Ferwerda. Cities and their youth services are involved in initiatives to address criminal groups and youth that cause nuisance, following plans from minister Opstelten and his predecessor, Ter Horst. Additionally police also address the issue nationally in a fairly uniform manner. Just last week police performed a similar offensive in Culemborg, arresting 4 hard core members of a local criminal youth group of 50, mainly Moroccan youth.