Expatica news

Dutch create database of top hooligans

13 March 2006

AMSTERDAM — Police in the Netherlands have developed a database with information about the 500 top soccer hooligans in the country.

The list is maintained by the information centre on football hooliganism, known in Dutch as Centraal Informatiepunt Voetbalvandalisme (CIV),

The database is a key element of the new project Hooligans in Beeld (HiB) in which all 22 police regions with a professional football club cooperate to identify the main troublemakers. Interior Minister Johan Remkes has provided EUR 500,000 for the project which runs to 2007.

Remkes told parliament in a letter that the database would not only take account of trouble in and around football stadiums. Trouble caused by soccer hooligans on housing estates and during nights out will also be recorded.

The police, public prosecutor and other agencies will use the evidence gathered to decide what measures are needed to curb soccer-related violence.

Remkes and Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner will take questions from MPs in parliament on Tuesday about soccer violence.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2006]

Subject: Dutch news