Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
1 year, 11 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 25-city safety council, said the lack of a national ban meant cities which do want to stop consumer fireworks ‘are playing a game it is impossible to win’. ‘It makes me very angry, and we have to come up with a better way of celebrating the New Year.’ Injuries The specialist eye hospital in Rotterdam said on Monday morning it had treated 25 people who had firework-related injuries, the youngest of whom was a seven year old boy.

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History of this topic

Attacks using firework bombs will "far exceed 1,000 this year"
1 month, 1 week 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. …

Fireworks enthusiasts say they are fed up with rioters, antisocial behavior
11 months, 3 weeks 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 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 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 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 …

Rotterdam mayor pledges to keep lobbying for national fireworks ban
1 year, 10 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 …

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks
1 year, 11 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
1 year, 11 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
1 year, 11 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 …

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

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, 2 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 …

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban
2 years, 6 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, 6 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, 6 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
2 years, 11 months 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 …

Emergency service worker safety paramount at New Year, says police chief
2 years, 11 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
2 years, 11 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, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

Amsterdam officially bans most fireworks on New Year's Eve
3 years, 2 months ago

Amsterdam officially bans most fireworks on New Year's Eve

NL Times  

No fireworks will be allowed in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve this year. This year the municipality is organizing a New Year's celebration on Museumplein with a fireworks show, a musical program, and a light and laser show. The city is also providing grants for festive New Year’s initiatives organized by the people of Amsterdam themselves. All plans remain dependent …

Utrecht a step closer to prohibiting private fireworks use
3 years, 6 months ago

Utrecht a step closer to prohibiting private fireworks use

NL Times  

The city council of Utrecht is pressing forward with a plan to ban the private use of fireworks this summer. According to Mayor Sharon Dijksma and the city aldermen there is "no more room in Utrecht" for the "unlimited use of fireworks by private individuals." A second survey, conducted by the municipality itself, showed that 60 percent of Utrecht police …

Fireworks ban was a success according to Bruls: "we need a fireworks ban for the entire country"
3 years, 11 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 …

Firework ban widely ignored, but police report fewer incidents during New Year festivities
3 years, 11 months ago

Firework ban widely ignored, but police report fewer incidents during New Year festivities

Dutch News  

Although the firework ban was widely ignored, and dozens of cars were set on fire, police and the emergency services were called out some 30% fewer times than during ‘normal’ New Year celebrations, officials say. ‘That is a real contrast to last year’s horror night when we had 18 eye injuries within two and a half hours.’ Utrecht’s main teaching …

Police pelted with fireworks, stones in various incidents; Three cops hurt in Arnhem
3 years, 11 months ago

Police pelted with fireworks, stones in various incidents; Three cops hurt in Arnhem

NL Times  

Three police officers were hurt in Arnhem while putting an end to an illegal party. On Vriendschapsplein in Schiedam, riot police officers were pelted with fireworks shortly after midnight. In Leeuwarden, police officers were pelted with fireworks by a group of young people in the city center. A police officer fired a warning shot in Wapenveld when a group young …

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

New Year fireworks fine will hit €100, and that means a criminal record
4 years, 1 month ago

New Year fireworks fine will hit €100, and that means a criminal record

Dutch News  

People who set off fireworks during the New Year festivities face a fine of at least €100, and that means an automatic criminal record, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus said on Friday. The government has decided to ban all fireworks but children’s sparklers during this year’s New Year celebrations, in order to reduce pressure on the emergency services. That is why …

Ministers set to back New Year firework ban, sources tell NOS
4 years, 1 month 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 …

Rotterdam, Nijmegen still on track to ban New Year fireworks: NOS
4 years, 1 month ago

Rotterdam, Nijmegen still on track to ban New Year fireworks: NOS

Dutch News  

Rotterdam and Nijmegen are among six remaining Dutch towns and cities which have said they plan to make it an offence for members of the public to light fireworks during this year’s New Year celebrations, broadcaster NOS said on Friday afternoon. Earlier it had appeared that 20 local authority areas, including Amsterdam, would ban consumer fireworks this year, but Amsterdam …

Amsterdam to hold fireworks show on Museumplein at New Year
4 years, 2 months ago

Amsterdam to hold fireworks show on Museumplein at New Year

Dutch News  

Amsterdam city council is organising a ‘celebratory and spectacular’ New Year celebration with a fireworks display on Museumplein this year, officials say. Despite a vote in favour of a total ban on consumer fireworks in the capital, mayor Femke Halsema said in September that a ban on consumer fireworks during this year’s New Year celebrations would not go ahead because …

Amsterdam scraps plan to ban fireworks this year, citing coronavirus
4 years, 3 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 …

Amsterdam postpones New Year's fireworks ban over Covid-19
4 years, 3 months ago

Amsterdam postpones New Year's fireworks ban over Covid-19

NL Times  

The municipality of Amsterdam decided to postpone the implementation of its ban on consumer fireworks for one year. Due to the coronavirus crisis and its accompanying measures, alternative celebrations cannot be organized effectively, mayor Femke Halsema said in a letter to the city council. She also called it "irresponsible" to ask police and enforcement officers to enforce a ban, given …

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