Groningen Nightlife Safety Under Scrutiny With Alarming Behaviour Trends
City report reveals rising violence, drug use, and transgressive behaviour in Groningen’s nightlife; new safety measures, awareness campaigns, and a collective bar ban aim to restore order.
Groningen's nightlife is under pressure due to a rising wave of violence, substance abuse, and sexually transgressive behaviour, according to a series of reports and recommendations released this week. Researchers, city officials, and the city's night mayor all stress that coordinated action is urgently needed to preserve Groningen’s reputation as a safe and vibrant place to go out.
Sharp Increase in Safety Concerns and Aggressive Incidents
According to a report by Breuer&Intraval, the perceived safety among young nightlife visitors in Groningen is at a historic low. More than 60% of partygoers report having felt unsafe — the highest figure in the 21st century. Although the number of incidents hasn't increased significantly, the severity of violence and sexually transgressive behaviour has risen sharply. The number of times police had to use force also increased from 56 in 2022 to 65 in 2024, most often after 3:00 a.m.
Night mayor Misha Pchenitchnikov attributes this shift to post-pandemic behavioural changes. He notes higher levels of drug and alcohol abuse and calls for nightlife visitors to critically reflect on what they consider acceptable. “We all carry the nightlife,” he said, urging collective responsibility for changing the social norms.
Inexperienced Police and Lack of Enforcement Capacity
The research also highlighted a critical shortage of trained officers during nighttime hours. Both hospitality staff and officers themselves noted that many on-duty police officers lack the experience and confidence to intervene in tense situations. In the past, officers received specialised nightlife training and could choose to work nighttime shifts — now, many are scheduled regardless of qualifications.
Mayor Mirjam van ’t Veld acknowledged the problem: “We now have the facts and insight into the measures we need to take.”
Measures Introduced and Proposed
In response to the findings, the municipality has already rolled out some initiatives, including:
Deployment of hospitality stewards on Friday and Saturday nights
Increased coordination between stakeholders
Training programs for hospitality staff
New measures announced include:
A collective ban for individuals misbehaving in one venue from entering others
Surveillance cameras in Papengang
More lighting and trash bins in nightlife zones
Awareness campaigns on behaviour and responsibility
Exploring the deployment of BOAs (municipal enforcement officers) at night
An emphasis has also been placed on better communication of what constitutes acceptable behaviour. “This behaviour is not normal,” said acting mayor Van 't Veld, referring to sexual misconduct. The city will work on setting a new behavioural standard through campaigns and training programs.
Community Responsibility and Cultural Change
Pchenitchnikov stressed that nightlife safety isn't just the responsibility of authorities. “Do we find it normal that there is so much touching of women or men? Or that there is so much drug use?” he asked. The city aims to foster a culture where bystanders step in and norms are collectively enforced.
Despite the concerning developments, there are no plans to adjust Groningen’s flexible closing times. Both the mayor and night mayor agree that this unique aspect of the city’s nightlife should be preserved.
Groningen will also develop a long-term action plan to ensure nightlife remains safe, inclusive, and enjoyable — now and in the future.