The Hague police have arrested 20 more youngsters in a third night of disturbances in the Schilderswijk district of the city.

As on Wednesday, large groups of youths had gathered in the area, south of the city centre, and threw eggs and fireworks at police when told to disperse.

Mayor Jan van Zanen had visited the neighbourhood earlier in the day to show his support for locals, and police and residents began their own patrols in an effort to nip any trouble in the bud.

However, the problems began around 11pm, forcing the mayor to invoke his emergency powers and it took several hours before calm was restored, local media reported.