The area around Utrecht Central Station in the Netherlands will remain a ‘resident ban zone’ until November 1st, 2026 due to persistently high levels of violence. The measure lets authorities bar repeat troublemakers from an area for increasing lengths of time.
From January to mid-July 2025 there were 1,767 incidents including aggression, harassment, theft and violence, similar to last year.
Between January and August 2025 police and municipal officers issued over 600 resident bans targeting repeat offenders, often undocumented North Africans, European migrant workers, or local teenagers.
The ban zone, in place since 2022, restricts troublemakers from the station from 24 hours for a first offense up to two months for a third, with prison possible for repeated violations.
Mayor Sharon Dijksma said Utrecht aims to be safe and livable—despite the complaints contained in a recent legal action by Somali migrants—while curbing unacceptable behavior. The resident ban zone was extended for another year, also taking in Mariaplaats. Some Lombok streets were removed, due to fewer incidents.
