Police receive record number of anonymous tips about illegal fireworks
A record 540 anonymous reports regarding illegal fireworks were submitted this year to the Dutch police anonymous tipline, Meld Misdaad Anoniem, according to data obtained by the program EenVandaag. This marks a significant rise in concerns over the dangers associated with illicit fireworks, including highly dangerous devices like cobra firecrackers, shells, and mortar bombs. These illegal fireworks are often linked to hazardous storage, transportation, and trade practices.
Marc Janssen, a spokesperson for Meld Misdaad Anoniem, highlighted that public fear of explosions has fueled the rise in tips. "People are becoming more scared, often referring to these illegal devices as 'bombs,'" he said. The heightened awareness around the risks of cobra firecrackers is partly due to the many recent explosions that have drawn public attention to their dangers.
On December 28, 2024, the police acted on another tip from Meld Misdaad Anoniem, this time leading to the seizure of more than 800 kilograms of illegal fireworks in a company building on the Cornelis Verolmeweg in Sassenheim. A further 140 kilograms were found at the owner’s residence.
Another tip-based discovery occurred in Deventer, where the police seized 60 kilograms of illegal fireworks, including lawinepijlen (avalanche rockets) and dangerous shells, from a flat after receiving an anonymous tip. A 27-year-old man was arrested. This was the second such seizure in Deventer this year, following the discovery of 650 kilograms of illegal fireworks just a month earlier. Police officer Sven Zomerhuis warned that the quantity, though smaller, still posed a significant risk. "Sixty kilograms could cause a massive explosion," he emphasized.
Janssen explained that the ongoing uptick in anonymous reports correlates with increased public awareness of the risks posed by illegal fireworks. He noted that many people no longer view fireworks like cobra firecrackers "as the harmless fireworks of the past. This shift in perception is reflected in the growing number of reports," he said.
The police have confiscated over 93,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks and explosives so far this year, according to the Vuurwerkbarometer (Fireworks Barometer) of the Public Prosecution Service, a substantial increase from the 79,000 kilograms seized in 2023. The illicit fireworks are often found in residential areas, including attics, sheds, and bedrooms.
"There is a real risk of disaster," said a police spokesperson from the Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies unit. "A spark, even from static electricity, can trigger an explosion, and the consequences are unimaginable, not just for the owner of the fireworks but also for innocent bystanders."
One such incident, which grabbed national attention, was an explosion in The Hague earlier this month. A massive explosion at a bridal shop resulted in the deaths of six people, underscoring the potential devastation of illegal fireworks when used maliciously. These incidents have made the dangers of illegal fireworks even more apparent to the public, leading to a surge in reports to the hotline.
The police are calling on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicions of illegal fireworks in their neighborhoods. "The public are our eyes and ears," said Zomerhuis. "We encourage people to report anything suspicious, especially as the New Year’s celebration approaches."
In addition to the risks from homemade explosions, there is also concern over the increasing severity of firework-related crimes. "We are seeing a trend of larger amounts of dangerous fireworks being stored illegally," Zomerhuis noted. "It's no longer just a nuisance; it's a serious threat to public safety."
