The military police will be used to guard certain high-risk buildings in the Netherlands, three ministers told parliament on Thursday in a briefing.

They will take over from the police for certain buildings, justice minister Ivo Opstelten, defence minister Jeanine Hennis and home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk say in the briefing. This is not because the threat has increased from its current substantial, but to release the police for other work.

Weapons

One advantage is that the military police are allowed to carry heavier weapons than the police, although whether this will be the case has not yet been decided, according to NRC.

How many military police will be involved is not being made known for security reasons.

The ministers also announced in the briefing that they will be looking at the budget for the security services.

Jihadists

The threat in the Netherlands comes from returning jihadists. Currently around 180 Dutch people have travelled to Syria and Iraq. Of these, 25 have been killed and 35 have returned, NRC says.

During a recent debate following the terrorist attacks in Paris the government said that apart from security for Jewish organisations no extra security was necessary.