The number of reports of child abuse has increased by 20 percent since the end of a six weekend reporting campaign at the end of last year, child abuse bureau Advies- Meldpunt Kindermishandeling said. It is not yet certain if child abuse has increased or the reporting of incidents has increased. Between 50,000 and 80,000 children are abused each year and 27,000 reports are lodged with the child abuse bureau.

Police seize 3,200 weapons at Schiphol

Military police found 3,200 weapons in passenger freight luggage at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam last year, almost three times more than previous years. Security checks were greatly intensified last year. Seized weapons included knives, brass knuckles and pepper spray. No firearms were discovered.

Rwandan massacre suspect arrested

Police arrested on Wednesday in an Amsterdam asylum seeker centre a former lieutenant-colonel of the Rwandan army. The 54-year-old man is accused of playing a leading role in the massacre of Rwandan civilians in April 1994. The Dutch prosecution said he will be extradited to the Rwanda Tribunal based in the Tanzania city Arusha.

Boy, 11, arrested over pocket knife threat

An 11-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday morning after he allegedly threatened a 46-year-old primary school teacher with a pocket knife. The boy walked with three other boys through the school in Velserbroek when the teacher asked them what they were doing. Receiving no answer she tried to get them off school grounds, at which time the 11-year-old allegedly threatened her with the knife. Police arrested the boy and his three companions, who were aged 12 and 13.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news