Part of Oss declared "security risk area"

Mayor Wobine Buijs of Oss declared part of the Schadewijk neighborhood as a "security risk area", following a series of incidents. This means that the police can stop people and search them and their bags and cars as a precautionary measure, Omroep Brabant reports.

"For example, fireworks were thrown into a house with incredible damage, a gate was blown up and there was a stabbing incident. And December only just started", the VVD mayor said to the broadcaster. According to her, this is the work of a "stubborn youth group" that also caused problems in 2016. The group consists of young people between the ages of 17 and 25 years.

The incidents over the past days caused a lot of unrest and a feeling of insecurity, Buijs said. By declaring part of the neighborhood a a security risk area, the police have more room to act. The measure will remain in place until January 6th. Local residents were informed in a letter.