Justice minister Ard van der Steur is looking into ways to tackle motorbike gangs, including a possible ban, he said after meeting a number of worried mayors in Limburg province, the Telegraaf reports.

‘If that is what is necessary, then it has to happen,’ Van der Steur is quoted as saying. ‘It may be possible to bring in a ban using civil law.’

The minister also pledged to dispatch extra police officers to the province to deal with the bikers if needed but did not make any promises about structural improvements in police numbers, news agency ANP reports.

Gang members ‘threaten people, create fear and earn money from criminal activities,’ the minister said. ‘They need to keep their hands off our people, mayors, officials and police officers. They will notice what happens if they don’t.’

International

International efforts to curb the gangs are also underway and the minister will soon sign an alliance with Belgium and two German regions on dealing with them, ANP says. This is necessary because the gangs do not respect national boundaries, Van der Steur said.

Limburg mayors have been sounding the alarm because of increased inter-gang tension and claims that criminal bikers are infiltrating local politics. The mayor of Kerkrade is under police protection because of threats.