Judges are to be given the right to ban troublemakers aged 12 and over from hanging around in certain neighbourhoods, under new government legislation to be sent to parliament by justice minister Ivo Opstelten later this week.

The previous government had already been working on draft laws to bring in banning orders following rising concern about the nuisance caused by gangs of youths hanging around streets and shopping centres.
‘It is about being able to tackle this nuisance as a government,’ Opstelten told Nos tv. ‘We have had it up to here.’
According to the Telegraaf, the new government’s legislation will allow banning orders for people convicted of causing a public nuisance, using drugs and alcohol in public places, gathering in illegal groups, aggressive behaviour and street crime.
A spokesman for the justice ministry told the Volkskrant the ban could be given in addition to a fine, community service or jail term. At the moment, judges can ban troublemakers from certain areas as part of a suspended jail term.