MPs to call for New Year firework ban following rise in violence
2 months ago

MPs to call for New Year firework ban following rise in violence

Dutch News  

MPs will debate whether to restrict New Year fireworks to professional displays on Tuesday amid growing calls for a ban on commercial sales. A 14-year-old boy died on New Year’s Eve when an illegal cobra firework went off as he tried to relight it, while eye surgeons reported 187 injuries, the highest number for 10 years. The far-right PVV, which has the largest group of MPs, and its coalition partner BBB are among those who defend New Year fireworks as a national tradition. VVD justice minister David van Weel would not be drawn on whether he supported a change in the law, but said growing concerns about safety around New Year must be addressed.

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History of this topic

Fireworks ban nearly a reality: VVD breaks from coalition assuring Senate majority
6 days, 23 hours ago

Fireworks ban nearly a reality: VVD breaks from coalition assuring Senate majority

NL Times  

Dutch coalition party VVD has announced its intent to support a general ban on fireworks in the Netherlands, if such a measure includes a few specific conditions. With the liberal party breaking away from two coalition partners, a fireworks ban is assured to have the backing of 45 of 75 senators in the Dutch Senate. The VVD said that mayors …

Opposition parties clash with VVD for dithering on fireworks ban
2 months ago

Opposition parties clash with VVD for dithering on fireworks ban

NL Times  

Opposition parties clashed with particularly the VVD about the party’s hesitance to support a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks during the annual parliamentary debate on the riots during the past New Year’s Eve. Supporters of the ban accused the VVD of hypocrisy, saying that the party can’t “stand up for the police and emergency services all year round, but look …

Dutch police don't want to work over New Year's due to fireworks
2 months ago

Dutch police don't want to work over New Year's due to fireworks

NL Times  

A growing number of Dutch police officers are refusing to work during New Year’s Eve celebrations, citing severe safety risks, inadequate protection, and ineffective fireworks policies. Respondents described New Year’s Eve as a dangerous “warzone,” with officers targeted by heavy fireworks, subjected to violent attacks, and even lured into ambushes. “Police officers are not cannon fodder,” said one respondent, echoing …

More politicians back fireworks ban after attacks on Dutch cops & firefighters
2 months, 1 week ago

More politicians back fireworks ban after attacks on Dutch cops & firefighters

NL Times  

After another New Year’s filled with attacks on first responders and millions of euros worth of damages, the CDA has thrown its support behind a ban on consumers’ fireworks. “You can’t always say that you fully support our police and emergency services and then look the other way once a year,” CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said on X. During New …

Dutch lawmakers renew push for nationwide fireworks ban
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Dutch lawmakers renew push for nationwide fireworks ban

NL Times  

GroenLinks/PvdA and the Partij voor de Dieren are reviving a proposal for a nationwide consumer fireworks ban, aiming to bring the initiative to a vote in the Tweede Kamer soon. The proposed law would introduce a general consumer ban on fireworks classified as category F2, which includes items like firecrackers and rockets. Professional fireworks displays conducted by certified pyrotechnicians would …

New year, new attempt: MPs to revive firework ban legislation
2 months, 2 weeks ago

New year, new attempt: MPs to revive firework ban legislation

Dutch News  

The pro-animal PvdD and the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance are planning a new attempt to introduce a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, RTL Nieuws reported on Friday. So we hope every MP will make up their own mind and vote for a ban.” Two people died, dozens lost hands and eyes, and €16 million worth of damage was caused to private property …

Police "frustrated and desperate" about firework violence: AD
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Police "frustrated and desperate" about firework violence: AD

Dutch News  

A growing number of police officers have had enough of the way they become targets during the New Year festivities and are accusing the government of failing to act to end the chaos, the AD reported on Monday afternoon. The claim is made in an internal police memo and gives “an in-depth view of the frustration and desperation within the …

Slow progress as firework ban expands to 19 towns and cities
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Slow progress as firework ban expands to 19 towns and cities

Dutch News  

This year 19 of the Netherlands’ 342 town and city council areas will have firework bans in operation at New Year, according to research by news agency ANP. In total, 310 councils responded to ANP’s questions or had sufficient information on their website to determine their stance on the New Year firework frenzy. Alkmaar, Utrecht and Zutphen are imposing total …

Fireworks enthusiasts say they are fed up with rioters, antisocial behavior
1 year, 2 months ago

Fireworks enthusiasts say they are fed up with rioters, antisocial behavior

NL Times  

People who love using fireworks legally during New Year’s say they have a "hangover" from "the antisocial bastards" who rioted and attacked emergency workers during New Year's Eve. The union has advocated for a national fireworks ban for some time, as have dozens of municipalities and the specialist Eye Hospital in Rotterdam, which treats people with eye injuries caused by …

Police unions call for nationwide fireworks ban amid safety concerns
1 year, 3 months ago

Police unions call for nationwide fireworks ban amid safety concerns

NL Times  

The police unions in the Netherlands are once again advocating for a nationwide ban on fireworks. The unsafe working conditions faced by emergency responders call for this, but the varied local fireworks regulations also make enforcement difficult, according to a joint statement by the four police unions ACP, ANPV, Equipe, and NPB. Law enforcement officers also believed that local fireworks …

Potential coalition parties not enthusiastic about banning New Year's fireworks
1 year, 3 months ago

Potential coalition parties not enthusiastic about banning New Year's fireworks

NL Times  

The PVV, NSC, BBB, and VVD are not enthusiastic about the plea from over 30 municipalities for a national fireworks ban. “The misery is largely due to fireworks that are already illegal,” said Ingrid Michon. “National regulations still won’t make it enforceable,” said BBB parliamentarian Henk Vermeer. Municipalities have the freedom to ban fireworks in certain areas or neighborhoods and, …

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks
2 years, 2 months ago

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks

Dutch News  

Liberal democratic party D66 has done a u-turn and now backs a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, following more trouble during this year’s New Year’s Eve festivities. It is a situation we have tolerated for a long time, but is not normal.’ Van der Werf said the call by mayors and police unions for a total ban has also influenced …

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks
2 years, 2 months ago

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks

Dutch News  

Liberal democratic party D66 has done a u-turn and now backs a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, following more trouble during this year’s New Year’s Eve festivities. It is a situation we have tolerated for a long time, but is not normal.’ Van der Werf said the call by mayors and police unions for a total ban has also influenced …

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
2 years, 3 months ago

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban

Dutch News  

Mayors from across the Netherlands have renewed calls for a total ban on consumer fireworks, following the problems during this year’s New Year festivities. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described the situation in the capital, where the ban on fireworks was widely ignored, as ‘tense and busy’ with ‘far more arrests’ than last year. Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls, who chairs the …

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
2 years, 3 months ago

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban

Dutch News  

Mayors from across the Netherlands have renewed calls for a total ban on consumer fireworks, following the problems during this year’s New Year festivities. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described the situation in the capital, where the ban on fireworks was widely ignored, as ‘tense and busy’ with ‘far more arrests’ than last year. Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls, who chairs the …

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban
2 years, 9 months ago

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban

Dutch News  

There is no majority in parliament for a total ban on consumer fireworks and efforts by GroenLinks and the pro-animal PvdD will fail when voted on next week, it emerged after Wednesday’s debate on the issue. The two parties say the advantages of the New Year festivities – the only time consumers can set off fireworks – no longer outweigh …

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban
2 years, 9 months ago

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban

Dutch News  

There is no majority in parliament for a total ban on consumer fireworks and efforts by GroenLinks and the pro-animal PvdD will fail when voted on next week, it emerged after Wednesday’s debate on the issue. The two parties say the advantages of the New Year festivities – the only time consumers can set off fireworks – no longer outweigh …

Fireworks ban unlikely to be continued, surveyed MP’s say
2 years, 9 months ago

Fireworks ban unlikely to be continued, surveyed MP’s say

NL Times  

This week, the lower house of the Dutch parliament will debate a GroenLinks and PvdD proposal to ban consumer fireworks in exchange for professionally organized firework shows over New Year's. According to the green party and the animal party, the fun of consumer fireworks over New Year's does not outweigh the downsides - hundreds of injured people per year, stressed …

Emergency service worker safety paramount at New Year, says police chief
3 years, 3 months ago

Emergency service worker safety paramount at New Year, says police chief

Dutch News  

The top police priority during this year’s New Year celebrations will be ensuring the safety of emergency service workers, police chief Willem Woelders has told the Parool in an interview. Second on the priority list is making sure ordinary citizens are kept safe, while upholding the coronavirus rules and the ban on fireworks are in third place, Woelders told the …

Enforcing Covid measures and firework ban not priority during New Year's: police chief
3 years, 3 months ago

Enforcing Covid measures and firework ban not priority during New Year's: police chief

NL Times  

During the New Year, enforcement of coronavirus restrictions and the fireworks ban is third in the list of officers' priorities, police chief Willem Woelders said. Guaranteeing the safety of emergency services such as the fire brigade and ambulance has focus, the police chief said. Woelders expected New Year's Eve 2021 to be similar to last year. According to a survey …

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors
3 years, 4 months ago

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors

Dutch News  

Fireworks will be banned again this New Year, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting, broadcaster RTL Nieuws has reported. Mayors united in the 25 regional safety boards wrote to the government urging it to bring in a nationwide ban after government sources suggested there would not be any national restrictions. The annual firework frenzy every year results in hundreds of …

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors
3 years, 4 months ago

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors

Dutch News  

Fireworks will be banned again this New Year, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting, broadcaster RTL Nieuws has reported. Mayors united in the 25 regional safety boards wrote to the government urging it to bring in a nationwide ban after government sources suggested there would not be any national restrictions. The annual firework frenzy every year results in hundreds of …

Cabinet considering New Year fireworks ban to save hospitals
3 years, 4 months ago

Cabinet considering New Year fireworks ban to save hospitals

Dutch News  

New Year fireworks could be banned for the second year in a row after the cabinet asked the Outbreak Management Team for advice on the safety implications. The number of injuries treated in emergency departments was 75% lower last New Year, Tjeerd de Faber, chair of the Dutch Ophthalmic Community, told RTL Nieuws. FNV Zorg en Welzijn, the healthcare branch …

Fireworks ban was a success according to Bruls: "we need a fireworks ban for the entire country"
4 years, 3 months ago

Fireworks ban was a success according to Bruls: "we need a fireworks ban for the entire country"

NL Times  

The firework ban past New Year’s Eve was a big success, according to Hubert Bruls, the Mayor of Nijmegen. “Now we need to really push through for a fireworks ban for the entire country,” he said. This New Year’s Eve, fireworks were banned due to the coronavirus crisis, which was very well received by Bruls, who is also the chairman …

Heavy police presence for New Year, as fireworks ban may spark trouble
4 years, 3 months ago

Heavy police presence for New Year, as fireworks ban may spark trouble

Dutch News  

Almost twice as many police officers will be on duty during the New Year festivities than in a normal year and some have had leave cancelled to ensure there is enough manpower on the streets, broadcaster NOS said on Friday. Although the number of police on duty will vary from place to place, in Amsterdam the number of officers will …

Ministers set to back New Year firework ban, sources tell NOS
4 years, 4 months ago

Ministers set to back New Year firework ban, sources tell NOS

Dutch News  

Ministers back a complete fireworks ban for the coming New Year celebrations, sources in The Hague have told broadcaster NOS. Ministers are also discussing how to deal with the financial fall-out and do not want to go public with the ban until this has been finalised, NOS said. Dutch consumers spend some €70m on fireworks during the celebrations, buying them …

Amsterdam scraps plan to ban fireworks this year, citing coronavirus
4 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam scraps plan to ban fireworks this year, citing coronavirus

Dutch News  

Amsterdam city council has decided not to press ahead with a ban on consumer fireworks during this year’s New Year celebrations because of the coronavirus crisis. City officials say they have taken the decision because it will be ‘complex and intensive’ for wardens to enforce a firework ban alongside social distancing regulations. Injuries Two people died and almost 1,300 people …

Dutch cabinet now in favor of new fireworks limits and regulations
5 years, 2 months ago

Dutch cabinet now in favor of new fireworks limits and regulations

NL Times  

The governing cabinet in the Netherlands plans to implement new limits on fireworks after this past New Year's period saw thousands of incidents requiring first responders. Earlier today, coalition party ChristenUnie said it wants to only allow local "fireworks clubs", who got permission from their municipality, to light fireworks over New Year's in the future. "It seems wonderful to me …

VVD give majority backing to ban on consumer fireworks in Amsterdam
5 years, 2 months ago

VVD give majority backing to ban on consumer fireworks in Amsterdam

Dutch News  

There is majority support on Amsterdam city council for a total ban on the sale of fireworks to consumers, website Nu.nl reported on Thursday, ahead of a debate on the New Year celebrations. Two of the four ruling parties – GroenLinks and Labour – back a ban on consumer fireworks, and the VVD has now said it too favours such …

"Fireworks are a tradition that must change," says Health Minister
5 years, 2 months ago

"Fireworks are a tradition that must change," says Health Minister

NL Times  

Lighting fireworks over New Year's is a tradition that needs to change, CDA Minister Hugo De Jonge of Public Health said on television program Jinek on RTL 4 on Monday. Earlier in the day it became clear that a majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, now supports a partial ban on consumers' fireworks. "It can …

Almost all NL residents support harsher punishments for New Year's violence against cops, aid workers
5 years, 3 months ago

Almost all NL residents support harsher punishments for New Year's violence against cops, aid workers

NL Times  

95 percent of Netherlands residents are in favor of harsher punishments for violence against police officers and other first responders during New Year's. I&O Research surveyed nearly 2 thousand Netherlands residents aged 18 and over on what they think about New Year's fireworks and violence against police officers in this period. Overall, exactly half of Netherlands residents now support a …

Not with a ban but a whimper: only most dangerous fireworks to be outlawed
5 years, 8 months ago

Not with a ban but a whimper: only most dangerous fireworks to be outlawed

Dutch News  

The Dutch government is expected to stop the sale of the most dangerous fireworks from next year’s New Year’s Eve but steer clear of a complete ban. The government is expected to announce a ban of fireworks in the most dangerous ‘F3’ category, such as ‘Chinese rolls’ of multiple firecrackers – although the vast majority of fireworks on sale to …

Not with a ban but a whimper: only most dangerous fireworks to be outlawed
5 years, 8 months ago

Not with a ban but a whimper: only most dangerous fireworks to be outlawed

Dutch News  

The Dutch government is expected to stop the sale of the most dangerous fireworks from next year’s New Year’s Eve but steer clear of a complete ban. The government is expected to announce a ban of fireworks in the most dangerous ‘F3’ category, such as ‘Chinese rolls’ of multiple firecrackers – although the vast majority of fireworks on sale to …

Dutch municipalities allowed to ban fireworks
6 years, 9 months ago

Dutch municipalities allowed to ban fireworks

NL Times  

Dutch municipalities will get the possibility to ban fireworks over New Year's. The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, discussed a report by the Dutch Safety Board in which the Board advised a nationwide ban on firecrackers and rockets. "It requires local customization, not a national ban", Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security said in the Kamer. …

Dutch cabinet won't ban New Year firecrackers and rockets: NOS
6 years, 9 months ago

Dutch cabinet won't ban New Year firecrackers and rockets: NOS

Dutch News  

Ministers will announce later on Friday that they have decided not to implement a nationwide firework ban in an effort to reduce the injuries and damage to property caused during the New Year firework frenzy, broadcaster NOS reported. Safety board Last year the Dutch safety board OVV said firecrackers and rockets should be banned during the New Year’s Eve celebrations …

New Year fireworks: ban on firecrackers must be nationwide, say councils
6 years, 9 months ago

New Year fireworks: ban on firecrackers must be nationwide, say councils

Dutch News  

Efforts to reduce the problems caused by the New Year firework frenzy will only succeed if they are applied nationwide, according to the Dutch local authorities association VNG. The VNG has written to home affairs minister Kajsa Ollongren saying the idea of allowing local authorities to decide themselves whether or not to ban certain types of firework will not be …

New Year fireworks: ban on firecrackers must be nationwide, say councils
6 years, 9 months ago

New Year fireworks: ban on firecrackers must be nationwide, say councils

Dutch News  

Efforts to reduce the problems caused by the New Year firework frenzy will only succeed if they are applied nationwide, according to the Dutch local authorities association VNG. The VNG has written to home affairs minister Kajsa Ollongren saying the idea of allowing local authorities to decide themselves whether or not to ban certain types of firework will not be …

Call to ban personal fireworks over New Year's
7 years, 5 months ago

Call to ban personal fireworks over New Year's

NL Times  

The foundation for society and safety SMV wants to ban individuals lighting fireworks over New Year's. The use of New Year's fireworks must only take place within controlled events in professional fireworks shows, SMV director Ingrid de Jong said in the Telegraaf on Wednesday. According to SMV, the damage to houses and cars caused by fireworks amounted to 15 million …

Too soon for more firework restrictions, say Dutch MPs
9 years, 9 months ago

Too soon for more firework restrictions, say Dutch MPs

Dutch News  

A majority of MPs do not want the government to bring in any further restrictions on the type of fireworks which can be sold in the Netherlands, broadcaster Nos says on Thursday. Parliament is due to debate the most recent changes later today, and MPs say there needs to be more time to evaluate their impact, the broadcaster says. Earlier …

Too soon for more firework restrictions, say Dutch MPs
9 years, 9 months ago

Too soon for more firework restrictions, say Dutch MPs

Dutch News  

A majority of MPs do not want the government to bring in any further restrictions on the type of fireworks which can be sold in the Netherlands, broadcaster Nos says on Thursday. Parliament is due to debate the most recent changes later today, and MPs say there needs to be more time to evaluate their impact, the broadcaster says. Earlier …

MPs set to reject limits to firework sales despite calls for change
10 years, 8 months ago

MPs set to reject limits to firework sales despite calls for change

Dutch News  

MPs from the ruling PvdA and VVD are set to vote against the government’s plans to restrict firework sales to just two days a year, website nu.nl says on Thursday. Nu.nl says MPs think reducing New Year firework sales from three to two days will encourage more people to buy illegal fireworks. A poll by EenVandaag last year showed two-thirds …

MPs set to reject limits to firework sales despite calls for change
10 years, 8 months ago

MPs set to reject limits to firework sales despite calls for change

Dutch News  

MPs from the ruling PvdA and VVD are set to vote against the government’s plans to restrict firework sales to just two days a year, website nu.nl says on Thursday. Nu.nl says MPs think reducing New Year firework sales from three to two days will encourage more people to buy illegal fireworks. A poll by EenVandaag last year showed two-thirds …

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