More violence towards police than usual during last New Year’s Eve

There were 121 registered incidents of violence against police officers or other public service workers during last New Year’s Eve, the Cabinet wrote in a letter to Parliament. This is an increase of 17 incidents compared to four years.

There was also an increase in the number of police officers who sustained injuries compared to previous years. There were 295 victims of this last year, which is 105 more than the four-year average. In addition, 49 other public service workers were injured, which is double the usual amount.

The violence is “still very problematic,” the Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel wrote on X. “These violent outbursts are a deep-rooted societal problem. Not just the justice department and police but the whole of society has a part to play in eradicating this.”

Despite this, the number of arrests made during New Year’s Eve was 11 percent lower than what is usually the case with 245. The total number of registered incidents also decreased by 19 percent. The number of incidents containing severe assault or threats has increased by 2.8 percent.

Around 120 suspects have been handed over by police to the Public Prosecution Service for further investigation. This is also less than last year when 156 suspects were handed over.

The OM stated that 68 of these cases were related to violence against people, with 36 of those being violence against emergency services. According to Attorney General Sue Preenen, there may be fewer, but there are still far too many. "The Public Prosecution Service, therefore, continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of suspects who use violence against emergency workers," she said.

Chief of Police Janny Knol of the National Police says she understands that police officers are becoming discouraged by these figures. “Every year, we say that violence against emergency services is unacceptable. Every year, suspects are arrested and prosecuted. The violence never stops,” she said in a statement.

“This will only happen if the people who are using violence against us come to their senses. If they see how ridiculous it is to attack emergency workers and what risks their behavior brings. Or if they are confronted on this behavior by their inner circle.” Knol thinks that things are going in the wrong direction and is pleading for a national fireworks ban. This is something that the police have been asking for for years.

However, Stichting Het Vuurwerk Liefhebbers Verbond (HVLV), the association of fireworks enthusiasts, thinks that the chaos and unrest during New Year’s Eve is a “symptom of a much bigger problem” and that a national fireworks ban would not end this.

“The core of the problem is not legal fireworks but with a growing problem of authority and a lack of norms and values ​​in society," the association said.

“Police officers are not only attacked during New Year’s Eve. We see this same behavior during football matches, demonstrations, and random incidents on the streets daily,” said Jeffrey Peters, a spokesperson for the association. “Violence against emergency workers has sadly become a broad and structural problem in the Netherlands. A ban on legal fireworks will not solve the fundamental lack of respect for authority.”