Ter Apel placed under extra oversight amid safety concerns
The government and inspectorate are tightening measures around reception centres, while pressure on the registration centre continues.
Additional security measures have been introduced around the registration centre in Ter Apel in recent months. The Justice and Security Inspectorate considers enhanced-supervision locations valuable, but remains critical of the supervision and training of security guards.
Enhanced-supervision locations have been set up in Ter Apel and Budel since February 2025. Residents whom the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) considers to require additional supervision because of repeated nuisance or security risks are placed there. The inspectorate stresses that such a location is not only about supervision, but also about support and meaningful daytime activities.
The Justice and Security Inspectorate published an assessment of these locations on 18 September. According to the inspectorate, the special locations are valuable because they can provide greater calm and oversight. At the same time, the report says COA staff must continue working on appropriate daytime activities and support for residents.
Security is also receiving attention. The inspectorate says staff should receive targeted training for the group in question and that organisations must prevent security measures from resulting in unlawful conduct. The report thus distinguishes between necessary security and measures that cross the limits of the law.
The Minister for Asylum and Migration announced additional measures for Ter Apel as early as July. New arrivals waiting for a place would temporarily be accommodated in a former building and then taken by bus to overnight emergency accommodation in the region. In addition, more cameras, special investigating officers (BOAs) and security guards were deployed, and a security-risk area was designated.
The measures are intended to keep the public space around the registration centre manageable. At the same time, the ministry acknowledged that they do not solve the underlying problems. According to the government, these require sufficient reception places, faster procedures, transfers to municipal housing and implementation of the Distribution Act (Spreidingswet), among other things.
The available sources do not provide a complete, up-to-date picture of all reports of violence and theft in Ter Apel. It is clear, however, that the government is treating the situation as urgent and that, alongside security, the inspectorate is also emphasising legality and support. The debate is therefore not only about more supervision, but also about how supervision can remain effective and proportionate.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ter Apel and Budel have enhanced-supervision locations.
- The inspectorate is calling for better support and training for security guards.
- The government has announced additional security measures and says structural solutions are still needed.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach emphasises that security cannot be viewed separately from decent reception, support and legal protection. Additional security without sufficient staff, daytime activities and prospects may displace or worsen problems.
Values Human dignity, equal legal protection and prevention.
Consequences More investment in support and reception quality, potentially with less emphasis on repressive measures.
Centre
Arguments The centre seeks a workable combination of supervision, clear rules and individual support. The state must protect public order, but must also demonstrably remain within the bounds of the law.
Values The rule of law, proportionality and administrative feasibility.
Consequences A layered system combining supervision with inspection, training and structural reception planning.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach emphasises order, enforcement and swift consequences for residents who cause nuisance. Special locations and a visible police presence are seen as necessary to protect staff, local residents and other residents.
Values Security, responsibility and authority.
Consequences Stricter supervision and more limited freedom of movement, with the risk that support and legal safeguards come under pressure.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The description of the supervision locations, the inspectorate’s findings and the government measures can be directly verified. Unsupported claims about the total scale of crime have been left out of the text.
- confirmed Enhanced-supervision locations have been set up in Ter Apel and Budel since February 2025. — This is stated in the inspectorate’s report. source
- confirmed The inspectorate calls the locations valuable but asks for better daytime activities, support and training. — The inspectorate explicitly mentions these points. source
- confirmed Additional cameras, special investigating officers and security guards were announced for Ter Apel in July. — The national government describes these measures. source
- confirmed The government also identifies faster procedures, transfers and implementation of the Distribution Act as structural solutions. — These points appear in the ministry’s explanation. source
Editor's note
The official sources confirm the additional measures and the inspectorate’s concerns. The assertion that the police and security services can barely cope with crime has not been independently quantified in the available public sources and has therefore not been included as an established fact.Sources
- Speciale asiellocaties waardevol, wel zorgen over onrechtmatig handelen beveiligers — Inspectie Justitie en Veiligheid
- Extra maatregelen voor veiligheid en opvang in Ter Apel — Rijksoverheid
- Hoe de Spreidingswet werkt — Rijksoverheid
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „ter apel”
- de Volkskrant — „ter apel”
- RTL Nieuws — „ter apel”