Five secondary schools in Beverwijk and neighbouring Heemskerk were closed on Friday in an effort to restore calm after a string of fights and social media spats between two rival groups of youngsters.

The gangs have been involved in various violent incidents over the past week, circulating films of the attacks on social media and AI images of the schools blowing up. According to NH Nieuws, some of the youths had called for a school shooting.

The social media films in particular have led to a feeling of unease, mayor Martijn Smit told reporters. “It is threatening and people are scared,” he said.

The decision to close the schools was taken after talks with the police. “Parents were saying they planned to keep their children home and it is more sensible to create a sense of calm and close the schools,” Smit said.

The mayor has also invoked his emergency powers for a large part of Beverwijk. This means gatherings of more than three people are banned, the police have the right to stop and search people, and no one is allowed to cover their faces in public.