First responders ask MPs for New Year's ban on firecrackers.

In a Christmas card sent to parliamentarians, police officers, enforcers and other aid workers called for a ban on firecrackers. First responders always face violence and aggression over New Year's, the first responders said. "We are there for the citizen when needed. Are you there for us?"

"As police officers and aid workers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020. We also wish that our working conditions will be considerably improved the coming New Year's", the Christmas card read. The card is signed by police unions ACP , VMHP and ANPV, enforcers union BOA ACP, and the union for fire department volunteers.

The first responders refer to the government's decision to ban the strongest fireworks from category three, pointing out that this ban will only take effect next year. "Moreover it is too limited and makes enforcement unnecessarily complicated", they said. "Also municipal bans and criminalizing the hindering aid workers do not ultimately change the circumstances in which we have to do our work."

The Netherlands' safety and security chain therefore calls on parliamentarians to "show decisiveness in 2020 and arrange a ban on firecrackers".

The Dutch Safety Board called for a total ban on firecrackers and rockets in December 2017, saying that these types of fireworks cause the most injuries and damage.