Over 100 people have been arrested in recent weeks for taking part in the radical farmers protests, police said on Monday evening. In addition, police have issued over 700 fines to participants in the nationwide demonstrations against the government’s plans to cut nitrogen-based pollution.

Arrests have been issued for dumping waste, blocking motorways and arson, but several people have also been charged with attempted murder, police said in their statement.

Some 186 fines have been issued for driving a slow vehicle on a motorway and 212 for stopping on a motorway.

‘Handing out fines is not an aim in itself, but this is a considerable number and the amounts are significant,’ police chief Willem Woelders said. Most of those arrested are under the age of 30.

The police had been criticised for failing to act at the height of the protests, in particular during several days of motorway stoppages.