The defence ministry is to employ its new unmanned Raven surveillance planes above the village of Veen in the southern province of North Brabant during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, according to ANP news service on Tuesday.

Last year youths set fire to several cars and fights broke out with the police in Veen which has become a hot spot for trouble on New Year’s Eve.
News of the use of Raven aircraft emerged in a so-called notice to airmen, an announcement for air traffic which orders planes not to fly lower than 300 meters in a wide area around Veen between 9pm on December 31 and 7am on January 1.
The defence ministry declined to comment, says ANP. The department bought 72 Ravens last year. The planes are just one meter long, weigh two kilos and have night vision equipment.
New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Netherlands are often marred by rioting and bad behaviour.