Police: youths dominate firework-related incidents

Young people under 25 years old were involved in 70 percent of firework-related incidents in the Netherlands in 2023, according to police data. The majority of those cases involved adolescents aged between 12 and 17.

The data is based on 2023 figures, as December is typically the month with the highest number of recorded firework incidents, leaving an incomplete picture of 2024. These cases include illegal possession, transportation, and use of fireworks.

Tolga Koklu, a police official responsible for firework enforcement, expressed concern about the reckless behavior of young individuals handling fireworks. “They often put others in serious danger,” he said. “This is especially true in cases where emergency workers are attacked with highly explosive fireworks, leading to severe injuries such as permanent hearing damage. Perpetrators are often unaware of the serious consequences of their actions.”

The ease with which young people can obtain fireworks, particularly through social media, is another major concern. Parents frequently have no oversight of what their children are purchasing or where explosive materials are stored. “When items like cobra fireworks are stored in a bedroom, under a bed, it creates a life-threatening situation for everyone in the household and the surrounding area,” Koklu warned.

Police efforts to combat the illegal trade of professional-grade fireworks remain steadfast. According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), law enforcement agencies seized over 80,000 kilograms of fireworks this year.

Additionally, more than 1,066 fireworks-related attacks were recorded as of November 2024, exceeding the 901 incidents reported for the entirety of 2023. A spokesperson for the national police force noted that many of these perpetrators are also young.