The mayor of the seaside resort of Noordwijk has invoked emergency powers for some parts of town following a string of night time fires.

Two minibuses belonging to a school for special education, a rubbish container and construction site shed have been set on fire close to the Rederijkersplein, an area of mainly low-rise social housing away from the sea front.

Now mayor Jan Rijpstra has brought in special powers giving police the right to stop and search people and cars in the district. In addition, he has banned people from gathering in groups.

‘Locals feel they are being intimidated and we are going to make an end to that,’ the mayor told local broadcaster Omroep West.

The emergency powers run from 10pm to 6pm until June 17. Only local residents who show ID, plus members of the emergency services, will be allowed into the district between those hours.