THE HAGUE, 04/10/08 - Home Affairs Minister Guusje ter Horst is setting up a telephone help-line for mayors who face aggression and violence.

No less than 60 percent of mayors in the Netherlands face aggression and violence, according to Ter Horst. From next year, they can phone a confidential line for advice. The information line will also be open to aldermen.

The minister has agreed the initiative with the Netherlands Society of Mayors. The agreement is part of a package of measures to combat aggression and violence against mayors.

Ter Horst has also promised to chart aggression and violence against mayors further. In the government training programme for mayors - they are appointed, not elected - specific attention will also in future be paid to how to deal with aggression.

Meanwhile, a judge in Amsterdam has imposed a fine of 500 euros on a 56 year old man from Gorinchem for insulting and threatening Mayor Job Cohen of Amsterdam. The man wrote Cohen letters last June, swearing at him and threatening him in a gross manner. The man did not appear at the session. If he does not pay the fine, he has to go to jail for 10 days.