Angry cop criticises "cowardly" fireworks bomber

Barneveld police officer Roy Poortman was, along with colleagues and firefighters, twice pelted with fireworks over New Year's. In an open letter to the perpetrators behind the fireworks bombs, he calls them cowards and thanks them for the damage to his hearing and a fun evening overall.

"What a pity it was that you dared to throw a firework bomb at me and my colleague from within a group. Unfortunately I could not see you through the fog to thank you for the loss of my hearing.", Poortman wrote on his Facebook page. "When the fire brigade was also at tOldenbarnevelerplein you and friends again felt very tough and again threw a firework bomb at the firefighters and us. Unfortunately I again could not see you trough the fog, but I wanted to thank you again because the firefighers also thought it a fun and pleasant experience."

Poortman hopes the perpetrators will read the post. "If you still want a personal pat on the back, give me a call next time I am in the neighborhood." He finishes his letter by saying that if the perpetrator is ever in need of emergency services, "we are happy to help (that is what we're for)".

There were numerous incidents of emergency services personnel being pelted with fireworks and stones across the Netherlands during New Year's. Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and Justice called it unacceptable.