Dutch police arrest hundreds amid chaos on New Year's Eve

THE HAGUE, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- About 200 people were arrested during disturbances on New Year's Eve in the Netherlands and dozens of police officers were injured, Dutch police said on Monday.

"We are deeply disappointed by the many reports of aggression and violence against bystanders, the police and other care providers," Dutch police coordinator Peije de Meij said in a press release. "Our goal is to make this night as safe as possible for everyone. Deliberately seeking confrontation is downright reprehensible."

Throughout New Year's Eve across the country, the police were busy dealing with vandalism, arson and riots, and escorting emergency workers. The riot police were deployed in several places to restore order.

"New Year's Eve should be a celebration for everyone," De Meij added. "In various places, people who wanted to celebrate were pelted with fireworks. Houses and cars were also targeted."

"When intervention occurred, many police officers and other care providers had to deal with aggression and violence. They were attacked while they were working to protect others," he said.

There was a fireworks ban in 16 Dutch municipalities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven, on New Year's Eve. However, the ban was dismissed by many.

In various places, especially The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Delft, the police were pelted with heavy fireworks. Preliminary figures show that dozens of officers were injured last night, mainly by fireworks.

In Haarlem, a 19-year-old man was killed by fireworks shortly before midnight. That was the second fatal incident related to fireworks through New Year's Eve. A 36-year-old man died in Neeritter in the southern province of Limburg on Saturday when he set off fireworks.