Police made 12 arrests after a third night of rioting at the site of a proposed asylum seekers’ refuge in Apeldoorn.

One person was arrested for insulting a police officer while the others were held for breaching the peace. All 12 were issued fines before being released, police said.

Demonstrators occupied a roundabout in the De Maten district where the local council wants to house 240 asylum seekers in a former school building.

The protest was authorised until 8pm, but many of the demonstrators refused to disperse and marched into other parts of the Gelderland town, prompting riot police to step in and order them to leave.

On Saturday and Sunday 32 people were arrested as police were pelted with fireworks in similar demonstrations at the same spot.

Earlier on Saturday a “march for women and children” was held in Apeldoorn, attended by former farmers’ party (BBB) MP Mona Keijzer and members of extremist nationalist groups such as Voorpost.

Blast in Den Bosch

Police are also investigating an explosion that hit a building on an industrial estate in Den Bosch where the local council is planning to house 50 teenage refugees of both sexes.

A window was damaged in the blast, which police believe was caused by strong fireworks.

Municipalities are trying to find temporary shelters for asylum seekers to comply with the so-called “spreading law”, under which every council is required to take in a proportionate share of refugees.

Asylum minister Bart van den Brink says he will use his powers under the law to allocate shelters over the heads of the councils if they are unable to come up with solutions themselves.