A grim atmosphere developed among the nightlife crowd at the 2nd Binnenvestgracht around 10:45 PM on Saturday evening after a man received a fine for public urination.

A group of men then turned against the police and used violence against officers. The police officers were hindered in the performance of their duties. The men also did not disperse when ordered to leave.  

Arrests

Five men were arrested for offenses including insult, threats, and assaulting a public servant in office. Officers had to use their batons, pepper spray, and the stun gun. The suspects are four men aged 36, 57, 60, 61 from Leiden and a 33-year-old man who is not registered in the Netherlands.  

Violence Against Police Officers (GTPA)

The police find aggression and violence against their staff or other emergency responders unacceptable. Police officers have a responsible role in society and must be able to perform their work without being hindered. With mutual respect. Aggression or violence, in any form, against staff is not tolerated. The police and judiciary apply the same approach: complaints are always recorded, offenders are prioritized by the Public Prosecution Service, and a threefold higher sentence is demanded against the offenders.