Dutch cops want those caught with illegal fireworks to report to police station over New Year's
6 years, 2 months ago

Dutch cops want those caught with illegal fireworks to report to police station over New Year's

NL Times  

The police want to oblige people caught with illegal fireworks throughout the year to report to the police over New Year's, in an effort to improve the safety of police officers and other emergency workers. The police reason that people can't throw illegal fireworks if they have to report to the police over New Year's, NOS reports. "Every year there is again aggression and violence against our people during New Year's and in that fireworks are also thrown", Ruud Verkuijlen of the National Police said to the broadcaster. This past New Year's, 434 people were treated for fireworks related injuries at the emergency rooms of Dutch hospitals.

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History of this topic

Dutch hospital association express support for a national fireworks ban
6 days, 13 hours ago

Dutch hospital association express support for a national fireworks ban

NL Times  

All the Dutch hospitals are behind the call from a large number of municipalities for a national fireworks ban, the Dutch Hospital Association wrote on their website. Municipalities called for a national fireworks ban after many suffered significant damage to their property during New Year’s Eve. Moreover, almost half of the victims are bystanders, many of whom are children.” The …

Police "frustrated and desperate" about firework violence: AD
1 week, 2 days 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 …

Man, 46, dies from firework injuries, taking death toll to two
2 weeks ago

Man, 46, dies from firework injuries, taking death toll to two

Dutch News  

A 46-year-old man who was badly injured in an accident involving fireworks on New Year’s Eve has died in hospital, Tiel town council has confirmed to local broadcaster Omroep Gelderland. “A ban would be a good first step.” Prime minister Dick Schoof has already made it clear the government has no plans to introduce legislation to stop the sale of …

Germany: New Year’s Eve Celebrations Turn Fatal As 5 Die In Firecracker Accidents
2 weeks ago

Germany: New Year’s Eve Celebrations Turn Fatal As 5 Die In Firecracker Accidents

ABP News  

Five people were killed and others were severely injured after firecrackers were set off during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany. Similar attacks occurred in Berlin, police spokesperson Florian Nath said that an officer was severely injured after being “presumably hit by an illegal firework,” and had to undergo surgery in a hospital. Además de las explosiones, el sonido típico …

Dutch authorities seized more than 107,250 kg of illegal fireworks in 2024, 36% increase
2 weeks ago

Dutch authorities seized more than 107,250 kg of illegal fireworks in 2024, 36% increase

NL Times  

Investigators in the Netherlands seized a total of 107,281 kilograms of illegal fireworks over the course of 2024, according to a running tally from the Public Prosecution Service. Just on the last two days of the year, authorities reported seizing 4,171 kilograms of illegal fireworks. That brought December’s total to nearly 40,403 kilograms, or about 38 percent of all fireworks …

Calls mount for a national ban on consumer fireworks in NL
2 weeks ago

Calls mount for a national ban on consumer fireworks in NL

Dutch News  

Amsterdam and Rotterdam mayors, and national police chief Janny Knol have all called for a national ban on fireworks following a number of serious incidents during the New Year festivities in the Netherlands, including the death of a 14-year-old youth. Consumer fireworks are banned in 19 cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, but the ban was widely ignored, and firework …

Arrest total tops 200, police chief calls violence unacceptable
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Arrest total tops 200, police chief calls violence unacceptable

Dutch News  

At least 200 people were arrested during the New Year festivities in the Netherlands during what police described as an “unsettled” evening. Emergency service workers were attacked in several parts of the country and there were a number of “serious” incidents, police said. “What should have been a celebration turned into a night of vandalism and violence in a number …

Dutch ring in New Year with fireworks, car fires and riot police
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Dutch ring in New Year with fireworks, car fires and riot police

Dutch News  

There were a number of minor incidents during the New Year celebrations in the Netherlands and a 14-year-old boy from Rotterdam was killed earlier in the evening, reportedly while trying to relight an illegal cobra firework, officials said on Wednesday morning. Hospitals were also busy dealing with injuries but were surprised by the large number of under-16s being admitted with …

300 kilos of illegal fireworks seized in Winterswijk residential area; two arrested
2 weeks, 1 day ago

300 kilos of illegal fireworks seized in Winterswijk residential area; two arrested

NL Times  

Dutch police discovered 300 kilograms of illegal fireworks in a residential neighborhood in Winterswijk on New Year's Eve, leading to two arrests and intense local concern. Following the discovery, further checks of nearby vehicles revealed a large stash of illegal fireworks, including linked Cobra fireworks known for their destructive power. The mayor’s frustration stems from a similar incident last year, …

Police receive record number of anonymous tips about illegal fireworks
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Police receive record number of anonymous tips about illegal fireworks

NL Times  

A record 540 anonymous reports regarding illegal fireworks were submitted this year to the Dutch police anonymous tipline, Meld Misdaad Anoniem, according to data obtained by the program EenVandaag. Another tip-based discovery occurred in Deventer, where the police seized 60 kilograms of illegal fireworks, including lawinepijlen and dangerous shells, from a flat after receiving an anonymous tip. Janssen explained that …

Amsterdam fireworks shows called off due to heavy wind; Museumplein light show continues
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Amsterdam fireworks shows called off due to heavy wind; Museumplein light show continues

NL Times  

The fireworks shows that were planned in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve have been called due to the strong wind. It involves a children's show, which started at 6:45 p.m., and a big light show with live music at 10:30 p.m. On the square, a large clock will count down to the new year from 11:50 p.m. The weather station, …

People in the Netherlands break record from 2022 for most money spent on fireworks
2 weeks, 2 days ago

People in the Netherlands break record from 2022 for most money spent on fireworks

NL Times  

People in the Netherlands spent around 118 million euros on fireworks this year. This breaks the record of 2022, when fireworks importers and wholesalers had a turnover of approximately 115 million euros, according to the trade association. Groeneveld had already predicted that the total turnover would be higher than in 2023 when around 105 million euros was spent on fireworks. …

At least seven overnight explosions in Amsterdam, mostly in West district
2 weeks, 3 days ago

At least seven overnight explosions in Amsterdam, mostly in West district

NL Times  

A series of explosions disrupted the night in Amsterdam West and Zuidoost, damaging homes and leaving residents shaken but unharmed. The incidents occurred across Jacques Veltmanstraat at 7:55 p.m., Orteliuskade at 1:51 a.m., Krulslaplanstoen at 2:00 a.m., Laan van Spartaan at 2:13 a.m., Johan Hofmanstraat at 2:15 a.m., Hoofdweg at 2:22 a.m., and Jan Zijverszstraat at 3:10 a.m. The series …

Firework sales surge amid bans, police seize 4,000 kilos at German border
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Firework sales surge amid bans, police seize 4,000 kilos at German border

NL Times  

Firework stores across the Netherlands reported an exceptionally busy first day of sales, according to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association. Groeneveld noted that online firework sales are already 17 percent higher than last year, exceeding expectations. While no figures are available for in-store sales from the first day, Groeneveld expressed hope for a total revenue of approximately 110 million euros—about 10 …

Most Netherlands residents have no idea about firework bans in their area
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Most Netherlands residents have no idea about firework bans in their area

NL Times  

More than half of the residents of areas with firework bans had no idea they were in place, a survey conducted by insurance company Achmea concluded, the AD reported. Around 21 percent of the 1000 people asked admitted that they pay very little attention to the measures and light fireworks anyway. A motion to ban fireworks across the country did …

Firework sales start ahead of Dutch New Year frenzy
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Firework sales start ahead of Dutch New Year frenzy

Dutch News  

Firework sales for the New Year festivities began officially at midnight on Friday night, one day earlier than normal because they may not be sold on a Sunday. In some 19 local authorities, including the big cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, consumer fireworks have been banned altogether although the ban is largely ignored. In total 1,213 people went or were …

Fireworks sales begin in the Netherlands amid strict regulations
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Fireworks sales begin in the Netherlands amid strict regulations

NL Times  

Fireworks sales officially began in the Netherlands on Saturday, with some stores opening their doors as soon as midnight. In addition to local stores, Dutch shoppers flocked to nearby German cities like Meppen, just across the border, where fireworks sales also began. However, because December 29 falls on a Sunday this year—when fireworks sales are prohibited in both the Netherlands …

Rotterdam region urges public to not hinder emergency services on New Year’s
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Rotterdam region urges public to not hinder emergency services on New Year’s

NL Times  

The Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region is calling on the public to avoid interfering with emergency services during New Year’s Eve, following incidents of violence against responders in previous years. During last year’s New Year’s Eve in Nieuw-Beijerland, emergency responders were attacked with fireworks after being called to extinguish several fires late in the evening. In Rotterdam, last year’s festivities were marked …

More Dutch teens are losing fingers and hands to fireworks
3 weeks, 6 days ago

More Dutch teens are losing fingers and hands to fireworks

Dutch News  

The number of teenagers who lose a finger or a hand when handling fireworks is growing, plastic surgeons have warned as police clock up 21,000 incidents this year. Over half the youngsters who sustain serious injuries when setting off powerful fireworks, including the illegal Cobra 6, are younger than 18, an analysis of figures from the last five years by …

Police: youths dominate firework-related incidents
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Police: youths dominate firework-related incidents

NL Times  

Young people under 25 years old were involved in 70 percent of firework-related incidents in the Netherlands in 2023, according to police data. Tolga Koklu, a police official responsible for firework enforcement, expressed concern about the reckless behavior of young individuals handling fireworks. Perpetrators are often unaware of the serious consequences of their actions.” The ease with which young people …

Slow progress as firework ban expands to 19 towns and cities
4 weeks, 1 day 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 …

Number of explosions increased again in the Netherlands this year; 500 suspects arrested
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Number of explosions increased again in the Netherlands this year; 500 suspects arrested

NL Times  

Around 500 suspects have been arrested for explosions this year, policeman Jos van der Stap, who is also the maker of the program “High Impact Crimes,” told NOS. Van der Stap said that the fireworks “have the power of a hand grenade and are a threat to a person’s life if it explodes close by.” Police say that the Netherlands’ …

Massive 5,500 kg of fireworks found in warehouse in Zuid-Holland village; 3 arrested
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Massive 5,500 kg of fireworks found in warehouse in Zuid-Holland village; 3 arrested

NL Times  

Authorities confiscated some 5,500 kilograms of illegal fireworks, explosives, and cannabis plants during a raid on a warehouse in the Zuid-Holland village of Krimpen aan de Lek. These operations are part of a broader strategy to tackle "undermining crime"—a term used to describe criminal activities that blur the lines between legal and illegal spheres of society. Thanks to the effective …

Attacks using firework bombs will "far exceed 1,000 this year"
2 months ago

Attacks using firework bombs will "far exceed 1,000 this year"

Dutch News  

The number of firework attacks on homes and business premises will probably far exceed 1000 this year, police estimate. The police had always worked on the assumption that most of the attacks could be linked criminal gangs but research has since found that over half are the result of “domestic conflicts between non-criminal citizens, often over relationships,” the report said. …

Police expect over 1,000 explosive attacks this year; No fatalities a "small miracle"
2 months ago

Police expect over 1,000 explosive attacks this year; No fatalities a "small miracle"

NL Times  

The number of explosive attacks in the Netherlands is increasing alarmingly and the police expect that 2024 will end with well over 1,000 such attacks committed in the year. The police called it “a small miracle” that, except for one person dying when an explosive he was placing went off early this year, there have been no fatalities. “It helps …

Over 35,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks found during police search, two men arrested
2 months, 1 week ago

Over 35,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks found during police search, two men arrested

NL Times  

Over 35,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks were found "that were ready for the illegal Dutch market" during a search in the German city of Hüven, the police reported. On Thursday, officers from the fireworks team of the Rotterdam unit found around 1,050 kilograms of illegal fireworks during a search of business premises and a garage box in Herwijnen, Gelderland. During …

Dutch police call for task force to tackle firework bombings
7 months ago

Dutch police call for task force to tackle firework bombings

Dutch News  

Dutch police had registered 496 attacks involving explosives by June 1 and say they are now more widely spread across the country than in previous years. The police are now calling for a nationwide task force that would include housing corporations, insurers, local councils and youth organisations as well as their own experts, to try to tackle the problem. Youngsters …

Dutch police call for task force to tackle firework bombings
7 months ago

Dutch police call for task force to tackle firework bombings

Dutch News  

Dutch police had registered 496 attacks involving explosives by June 1 and say they are now more widely spread across the country than in previous years. The police are now calling for a nationwide task force that would include housing corporations, insurers, local councils and youth organisations as well as their own experts, to try to tackle the problem. Youngsters …

Over 400 fireworks storage locations located in residential neighborhoods
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Over 400 fireworks storage locations located in residential neighborhoods

NL Times  

Nearly half of the Netherlands' fireworks storage locations are in residential neighborhoods. It concerns 405 locations where up to 10,000 kilograms of consumer fireworks are stored among homes spread throughout the Netherlands, EenVandaag reports based on figures from the country’s environmental services. “That is 400 times very dangerous,” Marcel Dokter, a firefighter of the Volunteer Fire Department, told EenVandaag about …

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

Large fireworks shows set to go ahead despite hard winds; Hoek van Holland canceled
1 year ago

Large fireworks shows set to go ahead despite hard winds; Hoek van Holland canceled

NL Times  

The large fireworks shows planned around midnight in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague will proceed as it stands. The fireworks shows in Hoek van Holland and Waddinxveen have been canceled. Organizer Electric Fireworks, organizers of the fireworks show on Museumplein in Amsterdam, reports that the wind is between force 4 and 5 at the moment and that the show can, …

Fireworks sales unlikely to match last year's record
1 year ago

Fireworks sales unlikely to match last year's record

NL Times  

Dutch people are not expected to purchase as many fireworks this year as last year, when a record was set for the amount of revenue the sales generated. Through Friday, consumers had ordered about as many fireworks online compared to a year earlier, said Leo Groeneveld, the chair of Dutch pyrotechnic association BPN. Last year, people bought 110 million euros …

Police unions call for nationwide fireworks ban amid safety concerns
1 year 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, 1 month 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, …

Many municipalities will not implement their own fireworks measures without national ban
1 year, 1 month ago

Many municipalities will not implement their own fireworks measures without national ban

NL Times  

Dozens of municipalities will not create a local ban on fireworks, or firework-free zones, during the upcoming New Year's period. As long as there is not a national ban on selling, buying, and lighting consumer fireworks, and it is also easy to purchase illegal fireworks, a local ban will not help improve the situation. The Hague agrees: “A nationwide ban …

Some 18,000 kilograms of illegal, wrongly labeled fireworks seized from Dutch importer
1 year, 1 month ago

Some 18,000 kilograms of illegal, wrongly labeled fireworks seized from Dutch importer

NL Times  

This week, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate seized around 18,000 kilograms of fireworks from a Dutch fireworks importer. In the importer’s bunkers, the ILT found multiple boxes of fireworks that have been banned in the Netherlands since 1 December 2020. “The CE marking stands for the safety and quality of the product and must be the logical consequence of …

Majority of women in NL feel unsafe due to fireworks on New Year’s Eve: survey
1 year, 1 month ago

Majority of women in NL feel unsafe due to fireworks on New Year’s Eve: survey

NL Times  

More than half of the women in the Netherlands are reluctant to walk alone on the street during New Year's Eve due to fireworks, as reported by an RTL Nieuws survey published Monday. The survey also revealed a majority of people in the Netherlands in favor of a ban on consumer fireworks for New Year’s Eve. It found that 53 …

Rotterdam mayor pledges to keep lobbying for national fireworks ban
1 year, 11 months ago

Rotterdam mayor pledges to keep lobbying for national fireworks ban

NL Times  

Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb will continue to lobby national politicians on behalf of his city to turn local bans on fireworks into a nationwide ban. He said he believes this is partly because fireworks are sold legally in almost thirty Rotterdam businesses during the New Year’s Eve period, even though the fireworks cannot be ignited in the city. That is …

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
2 years 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 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 …

Medical experts expect sharp increase in fireworks injuries this New Year's
2 years, 1 month ago

Medical experts expect sharp increase in fireworks injuries this New Year's

NL Times  

Medical experts expect a sharp increase in fireworks-related injuries this New Year. The Netherlands banned consumer fireworks over the past two New Year’s because of the coronavirus pandemic. But last year, we only had to treat one blinded eye.” Ophthalmologists and emergency rooms have long advocated for a complete ban on consumer fireworks due to the injuries they cause. Lighting …

Many fireworks sellers closing up shop in the Netherlands
2 years, 1 month ago

Many fireworks sellers closing up shop in the Netherlands

NL Times  

Many fireworks sellers are shutting down their shops in the Netherlands. The government banning consumer fireworks over New Year’s during the coronavirus pandemic seemed to have been the tipping point for many sellers. After two years of not being allowed to sell fireworks, many sellers seem to have decided to close up shop, according to the newspaper. Consumer fireworks over …

Amsterdam to hold New Year's Eve fireworks show on Museumplein
2 years, 2 months ago

Amsterdam to hold New Year's Eve fireworks show on Museumplein

NL Times  

The city of Amsterdam will organize professional fireworks shows in several places in the city this coming New Year's Eve. The city's main New Year's celebration will be on Museumplein, with both a fireworks and light show. Last year the main New Year's celebration was also supposed to be held on the Museumplein. According to the city, a majority of …

Fireworks, bonfires likely allowed in The Hague this New Year's
2 years, 2 months ago

Fireworks, bonfires likely allowed in The Hague this New Year's

NL Times  

The municipality in The Hague does not intend to ban consumer fireworks this upcoming New Year’s, though the city will create more fireworks-free zones. The Hague is adding another 30 zones this year, including “around riding stables and green areas, such as forests, parks, and Natura 2000 areas.” There will likely be no fireworks show at the Hofvijver. For decades, …

Arnhem bans New Year's fireworks from next year
2 years, 3 months ago

Arnhem bans New Year's fireworks from next year

NL Times  

Arnhem will ban consumer fireworks from New Year’s next year. According to responsible alderman Marco van der Wel, the coronavirus years have shown that New Year’s “can be celebrated well without massive consumer fireworks,” which were banned during the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic put the topic in the background because over the past two New Year’s, people weren’t allowed outside …

Fireworks ban unlikely to be continued, surveyed MP’s say
2 years, 7 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 …

Few fireworks injuries; Doctor credits fireworks ban
3 years ago

Few fireworks injuries; Doctor credits fireworks ban

NL Times  

Except for several severe incidents, hospitals in the Netherlands were relatively quiet regarding fireworks injuries on New Year's Eve. The two patients treated at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital were both bystanders. De Faber thinks the quiet night is mainly due to the fireworks ban imposed to not burden healthcare even more with so many Covid-19 patients in hospitals. "I can …

Massive New Year's party broken up in A'dam; Cops pelted with fireworks throughout NL
3 years ago

Massive New Year's party broken up in A'dam; Cops pelted with fireworks throughout NL

NL Times  

The Amsterdam police broke up a massive New Year's party on Dam Square. People threw fireworks at police officers and other first responders in Amsterdam and many other places in the Netherlands, NOS reports. In the Drenthe town of Bovensmilde, the riot police carried out multiple charges after people threw police officers with fireworks and stones. The Friesland police deployed …

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban
3 years ago

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban

Dutch News  

Dutch nationals have been flocking to Belgium to buy fireworks, despite the New Year ban, according to the Telegraaf. A local farmer has opened up his fields as an emergency car park for the Dutch visitors who have not been allowed by law to import fireworks into the Netherlands since December 15. Surely it should be allowed.’ The Dutch government …

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban
3 years ago

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban

Dutch News  

Dutch nationals have been flocking to Belgium to buy fireworks, despite the New Year ban, according to the Telegraaf. A local farmer has opened up his fields as an emergency car park for the Dutch visitors who have not been allowed by law to import fireworks into the Netherlands since December 15. Surely it should be allowed.’ The Dutch government …

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