Currently, the route through Hoog Catharijne is accessible at night so that pedestrians can quickly reach the city center and the station outside of store opening hours. In the past six months, this location has also become an attractive meeting and hangout place at night due to its central location, especially for individuals coming from outside Utrecht. The number of incidents has increased, and there are reports of alcohol and drug use, theft, dealing, and serious pollution. This, combined with mutual fights, creates a grim atmosphere in the shopping center. 

Mayor Sharon Dijksma: “It is drastic that a measure like this is necessary, but safety for our residents, visitors, and everyone concerned with public order in Hoog Catharijne is paramount. We have repeatedly drawn attention to the problems in the station area of Utrecht. A solution could lie in a better national approach that focuses on both safety and care, especially for troublesome foreigners. We urge the caretaker cabinet and the House of Representatives to continue working with us on this and not let this approach fall silent.”

Group of Troublemakers
The group causing disturbances consists of about 30 to 50 individuals. It is a fluid group made up of Utrecht residents, individuals from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The recent increase in the number of underage and young adult Syrian and Algerian youths has caused many problems lately. 

Monitoring
With the overall nighttime closure of Hoog Catharijne, the municipality aims to gain control over the disturbances. Of course, it will be closely monitored whether the closure causes a displacement effect elsewhere in the city. With the package of measures we are already implementing, we can quickly respond to signals of new nuisance locations. Our approach remains a combination of repression and care. 

Next Steps
The exact start date of the closure is not yet known. To close the route through Hoog Catharijne, a deviation from the zoning plan must be made. A permit must be applied for this. The application will be submitted shortly by the owner of Hoog Catharijne and handled by the municipality. As soon as there is clarity on the start date of the closure, this will be communicated. From that moment on, residents and travelers will also be actively informed about the closure and alternative routes.