Violent incidents against ambulance workers on New Year's few but still an issue

The Dutch ambulance service still had to deal with some violent incidents during New Year's. "The number of violent incidents has been minimal. There were a few violent incidents but overall, not much happened," a spokesperson of Ambulance Care Netherlands said.

According to the spokesperson, the turn of the year passed similarly to last year. Ambulance workers were extremely busy in a few regions, especially in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. "There were many firework injuries and disturbances. In Noord-Nederland particularly, it was a hectic night," the spokesperson said.

Minister of Justice Ferd Grapperhaus called the violence against emergency responders "terrible and simultaneously criminal."

"There is no excuse for violent offenders," Grapperhaus said in a written statement. "Several arrests have already been made and more will follow." Violent offenders will be prosecuted "whenever possible" and will "bear the costs of repairing their trail of destruction."

Although many explosions took place during the turn of the year, the firework ban "contributed to less pressure on the healthcare sector similar to last year."