Hundreds of cars have been set on fire in the Netherlands over the past few months, often concentrated in a few small areas, the Telegraaf says on Monday.

On Sunday, several cars were torched in Vlaardingen, one was set on fire in Amsterdam-Noord and one in Purmerend, north of the capital, the paper says. Ten days ago, two other cars were set on fire in Purmerend.

The Gelderland town of Ede is currently grappling with a gang of youngsters who have been rioting and setting cars on fire. However, there have been similar explosions of violence in Maastricht, Heerlen, Culemborg, Reusel, Voorburg and Arnhem, the paper notes.

Gelderland fire chief Allard Schimmel said: ‘The financial aspect is just issue. People are worried about their safety. A car fire can easily spread to a hedge, a shed or even a house with unforeseen consequences.’