During several large-scale enforcement operations in the city centre, at the Koningskermis and around The Hague Central Station, multiple fare evaders in public transport were fined, individuals were arrested for possession of drugs or weapons, and people experiencing homelessness and pitching tents were directed to support and shelter at the Binckhorstlaan. Youth causing disturbances were addressed and fined for misconduct. Teams from the police, municipality and other agencies carried out these joint checks on Friday 3 April, Saturday 4 April and Thursday 9 April to help keep the city centre pleasant and safe.
These integrated enforcement actions, including those at the station, aim to improve safety and liveability in the city centre. Municipal enforcement officers and police receive many reports of nuisance and feelings of insecurity. The area around the Malieveld, The Hague Central Station and the Koekamp forms a key gateway to the city. It is a highly dynamic area due to the combination of living, working and recreation. Large numbers of travellers use The Hague Central Station every day, while visitors and residents make intensive use of nearby facilities, hospitality venues and public spaces.
Koningskermis
Each year, the Koningskermis takes place on the Malieveld, this year from Friday 3 April to Monday 27 April, attracting many visitors to the centre of The Hague. The fair has taken several measures to ensure everything runs smoothly. Detection gates have been installed at the entrance and a strict entry policy is enforced by security staff. The fairground is also fully enclosed with fencing. Police have also deployed officers specifically for incidents in and around the fair.
During enforcement actions in the area around the fair on 3 and 4 April, special attention was given to youth groups, who often come from outside The Hague. Young people who misbehaved were addressed and a total of 34 fines were issued, five of which were under the Weapons and Ammunition Act. Knives and one knuckle-duster were found, including one case involving a 12-year-old boy attempting to hide the item in bushes. One arrest was also made after a young person ignored an order to leave following threatening behaviour.
Koekamp
With improving weather, people experiencing homelessness are also staying in the area around the station and the Koekamp, which can lead to nuisance. Sleeping in open park areas is not permitted. On the evening of 9 April, several people sleeping outdoors in tents at the Koekamp were approached and directed to the Shelter 070 night shelter at the Binckhorstlaan. This is a new facility for people sleeping rough in the city. Around the shelter, the municipality works with various organisations to provide support in areas such as appropriate care, including addiction support, housing, employment or return to the home country.
Traffic checks
Traffic checks are a standard part of these enforcement actions. On 9 April, police checked a total of 70 drivers and issued 30 fines, including for driving without a licence, driving with an expired licence, holding a phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt correctly. Three arrests were made for drugs and possession of a knuckle-duster. One driver received a driving ban after testing positive for drugs, and one licence was confiscated due to multiple outstanding fines.
During the traffic checks, unpaid taxes were also investigated. The national tax authority inspected 33 vehicles and identified a total debt of nearly €720,000. Of this, more than €28,000 was collected immediately and one vehicle was seized. The municipal tax authority seized twelve vehicles worth more than €53,000. Seven cars were clamped, one was towed away, and four payments were made on the spot totalling nearly €14,000.
Public transport
During enforcement operations on and around The Hague Central Station on 3 and 4 April, 75 trams and vehicles were checked by HTM, with additional checks by RET on the RandstadRail. In total, 149 fines were issued for travelling without a valid ticket. One arrest was made for failing to comply with an order, three fines were issued for smoking on the platform, and one fine for placing feet on a tram seat.
NS checked 61 trains. This resulted in 50 fines for fare evasion, five for cycling in the station, four for smoking, two for sleeping at the station, one for littering after throwing pancakes on a platform, and three under the Identification Act. In addition, eleven youth groups were addressed for nuisance behaviour at the station, and police assistance was requested six times in cases involving intoxication or individuals displaying confused behaviour.
On 9 April, HTM checked a further 104 trams in the city centre. A total of 134 fines were issued for fare evasion and eight under the Identification Act. One person was arrested for violating an area ban, and another was stopped after a pursuit. This individual received a total of €446 in fines for failing to show a ticket, violations of the Identification Act and obstructing staff.
Enforcement
Municipal enforcement officers also carried out checks by bike in the action areas. Around The Hague Central Station on 3 and 4 April, they issued 63 fines, including for violations related to soft drugs, alcohol and begging bans, identification offences, illegal parking, cycling on pavements and riding without lights. On 9 April, a further 39 fines were issued, mainly for soft drug, alcohol and begging violations, and one arrest was made under the Identification Act. In traffic, municipal enforcement officers issued 101 fines for offences including illegal parking, cycling while holding a phone and riding a moped in pedestrian areas.
Hospitality checks
On 9 April, police, fire services, Stedin and the municipality jointly inspected eleven hospitality venues in the city centre. Many will be rechecked soon. Three venues were operating terraces without permits, three lacked required fire extinguishing equipment, one had no emergency exit, and several had missing or inadequate grease separators. The social services department identified one case of suspected benefits fraud and one person working without a permit. Stedin issued a surcharge of €2,000 to €3,000 to one business, identified one broken seal and will carry out further calculations in a case involving a false meter seal.
Municipal Property Inspection Team
The Hague’s Municipal Property Inspection Team inspects the safety of buildings and housing in the city. On 9 April, checks in the city centre focused on illegal construction and unlawful occupancy. The team also enforced the Good Landlordship Act, which aims to prevent undesirable landlord behaviour. A total of 22 homes were inspected, with half showing evidence of unauthorised or illegal construction. In one property, rent was found to be excessively high at €3,300 per month. There was also a case of benefits fraud and overdue maintenance. In five cases, residents were registered but not living at the address, while in three cases people were living there without registration. Stedin identified two cases of fraud and disconnected the connections.
Integrated enforcement action in the city centre
Work is ongoing to improve liveability and safety in the city. Area-focused enforcement actions are regularly carried out in different neighbourhoods to address issues. This time, the focus was on the city centre. Various organisations and agencies worked together with the municipality to contribute to a safer and more liveable The Hague.
Report suspicious situations to the police via telephone number 112 (emergency) or 0900 – 8844 (non-emergency, but police).
You can also report incidents completely anonymously via telephone number 0800 – 7000.
Text & Images: Gemeente Den Haag, Translation to English: The Hague Online
