Dutch police clashes with agitators in third night of violence

Police used water cannon and tear gas against anti-curfew demonstrators in several Dutch cities in the third night of riots against coronavirus restrictions on Monday.

At least 70 people were arrested as riot control personnel were used across the country to prevent a repeat of the last night’s unrest, which corresponded with the first weekend of a new state coronavirus curfew between 9 pm and 4.30 am.

The mayor of Rotterdam's port city declared an emergency order directing people in the town centre to leave the area as officers clashed with groups of protesters.

Several shops were looted in the south of the city, the Dutch national broadcaster NOS said.

There were also reports of violence and multiple arrests in the southern town of Geleen, near Maastricht, and in Zwolle in the northeast.

Police said smaller demonstrations in The Hague and Amsterdam ended after a few hours.

Government officials sought to distinguish between the rioters and those who believed the curfew an infringement of their civil liberties.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte branded the violence “unacceptable”, adding: “This has zero to do with protesting, this is criminal disorder and that's how we'll treat it."

There were clashes in at least 10 towns and cities over the Netherlands on Sunday night.

One of the worst-hit was Eindhoven, where a car was torched as rioters threw rocks and fireworks at officers.