Five boys aged between 12 and 15 have been arrested on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Dutch police have arrested five boys aged between 12 and 15 for violent assaults in Beverwijk and two suspected cases of attempted manslaughter in Heemskerk. The teenagers allegedly attacked other youths, filmed the beatings, and shared the disturbing footage on Snapchat.
The first incident took place on Tuesday, January 13, around 4:30 p.m. at President Kennedyplein (President Kennedy Square) in Beverwijk. According to police, two boys confronted another teenager after deliberately bumping into him and demanding an apology.
Police explained that the so-called “sorry, sorry” or “sorry, king/boss” tactic is a method sometimes used by youths to intimidate victims. Authorities described the behavior as alarming, saying suspects attempt to scare, humiliate, and abuse their victims during such encounters.
The two suspects involved in the Beverwijk attack, both aged 14 and from Castricum and Heemskerk, reportedly filmed the assault and later posted the video on Snapchat. Police said sharing recordings of violent incidents on social media has become increasingly common in similar cases. Both boys were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of aggravated assault and public violence.
A second violent incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, on Debora Bakelaan (Debora Bakelaan Street) in Heemskerk, where a group of four boys attacked two other children. Authorities did not disclose full details of the assault, but said the injuries and circumstances were severe enough for investigators to suspect two counts of attempted manslaughter.
Police arrested four suspects connected to the Heemskerk attack: a 12-year-old boy from Beverwijk, two 14-year-old boys from Heemskerk, and a 15-year-old boy from Uitgeest. Videos of this assault were also reportedly shared on Snapchat.
Authorities are still investigating whether the incidents in Beverwijk and Heemskerk are connected. According to a police spokesperson speaking to NH Nieuws (North Holland News), the region has been dealing with a rise in violent incidents involving children.
Police urged young people who feel threatened or unsafe to speak with parents, teachers, youth officers, or trusted adults. They emphasized that law enforcement is also available to help and protect children in the community.