The Hague takes over beach party probe

Wednesday 26 August 2009

The public prosecution department in The Hague has taken over the investigation into last weekend's fatal shooting at a dance party in Hoek van Holland from officials in Rotterdam.

The Hague police had earlier taken over the police probe from the Rotterdam force. Officers from the port city were involved in the shooting and are said to be responsible for firing the shots which led to one death and six party goers being injured.

Meanwhile, police union ACP wants to know if reports that budget problems were behind the decision not to use riot police to break up the gang of some 80 youths causing trouble are true.

Advance warning

The AD reported on Wednesday that Rotterdam police took a deliberate decision not to involve riot police even though there had been reports that hooligans were planning to disrupt the event well in advance.

The stretch of beach where the shooting took place is still closed to the public as the investigation continues. Officials in white overalls are using metal detectors in an effort to locate other bullets, news agency ANP reports.

Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has already banned other free festivals in the city for the next two years and is considering what to do about the annual New Year celebrations.

© DutchNews.nl

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