THE HAGUE, 26/06/09 - The Christian democrats (CDA) want to incarcerate immigrant youth gangs as a group in re-education camps. The biggest government party wants the cabinet to launch trial projects in a number of cities.

CDA made the proposal in the Lower House yesterday afternoon, but had already leaked it to De Telegraaf in the morning. "Putting a stop to this street culture by just tackling individuals does not work," said CDA MP Van Toorenburg in the newspaper. She urged half a year of therapy to "break their violent group behaviour right down to the ground."

Van Toorenburg's intention is to apply the group pressure that reigns in gangs positively via a system whereby the other members benefit from the good behaviour of their buddies. "Only by turning around the group pressure and purely rewarding the youngsters for good behaviour do you get results."

CDA has come up with the plan in consultation with Hoenderloo Groep, a specialist in behavioural disturbances. "While we on the one hand tackle the perpetrators, on the other hand, such a district eventually gets a bit of peace," says Van Toorenburg.

The youngsters, aged from 12 to 18 or 21, should go to De Sprint institute in Wezep, where they have developed special methods. Toorenburg is focusing on immigrant youngsters because more attention for culture-related problems will then be possible. "But it can also work for white or mixed youth groups."