Amsterdam has launched a digital campaign telling British tourists who want a “messy night” to “stay away”.
The online initiative is aimed at men aged 18 to 35, warning they face a fine alongside a criminal record and “fewer prospects” if they “misbehave and cause nuisance” in the Dutch city.
The warning videos will be triggered when people in Britain enter specific terms into search engines, including “cheap hotel Amsterdam”, “stag party Amsterdam”, and “pub crawl Amsterdam”.
Footage shows men being arrested in the street, having their fingerprints and mugshots taken, and being locked in a police cell.
The clip warns: “So coming to Amsterdam for a messy night? Stay away.”
The city’s council has launched the scheme as part of efforts to improve Amsterdam’s reputation amid continuing complaints by residents over the noise, drunkenness and misbehaviour.
Deputy Mayor Sofyan Mbarki said: “Visitors will remain welcome but not if they misbehave and cause nuisance.
“As a city, we are saying: we’d rather not have this, so stay away.”
The campaign will initially launch with Britain but will then be expanded to the Netherlands and other countries.
Critics have argued the videos are discriminatory, with some business owners in Amsterdam saying they would prefer an initiative which is more positive.
Read more on Sky News:
Amsterdam to weed out cannabis in red light district
Last month, city officials revealed new measures are being planned to reduce “nuisance and crime” and make the night atmosphere in the Red Light District “less menacing” due to complaints about mass tourism, alcohol and drug abuse, and street dealers.
They include a ban on smoking cannabis in the street, earlier weekend closing times for bars, clubs and sex work establishments, and some restrictions over alcohol.
Amsterdam is also considering three locations for a new “erotic centre”, which is “intended to reduce the crowds and nuisance from visitors in the city centre”.
