Amsterdam street artists need a talent check, say Dam companies [May 31, 2012]

Companies round Dam square have asked the city council to take action to stop the intimidation of passersby by fake street artists, says the Parool. 'They are called living statues but they don't stand still,' says Herman Roelofs of the local ABN Amro.

Roelofs apparently watches the proceedings from his office window. The troublemakers consist of an organised gang of Romanians (yep, the new Moroccans) who are dropped off every morning by minibus.

'They are dressed up as aggressive gorillas with an axe or a monster with a gun and they intimidate tourists. However takes a photo is screamed at or threatened if they don't pay.'