Surprise after massively ignored fireworks ban: 'Smashing success'
While the general fireworks ban was very well observed last year, this was completely different this year: according to the police, 'a remarkable amount' of fireworks were set off. Many Dutch people were surprised or annoyed, the fireworks industry is now crowing victory.
'A lot of fireworks nuisance during the New Year' was the headline of the National Police on Saturday morning in its own news item about the New Year 2021-2022. "Despite the fireworks ban and the seizure of large quantities of illegal fireworks in the run-up to the New Year, a striking number of fireworks were set off."
The police force thus confirmed what ordinary Dutch people had seen on social media and in WhatsApp groups for a long time: the fireworks ban was widely ignored everywhere. People shared photos and video images en masse. "The children's fireworks are not disappointing," Roy Boverhof joked on Twitter with a photo of a sky lit by fireworks. 'Smashing success that fireworks ban', reports another.
Others react irritably and cynically. 'Fireworks ban? Didn't notice anything, except that I couldn't buy anything legally myself," tweets Ed Wielenga. According to Michel Kok, the massive donation means a 'big middle finger to the care and benevolent Netherlands'. Many animal owners are also annoyed.
There is irritation about the police who, according to many, did not act or hardly acted in many places. ,,Here in Bedum hundreds of young people on their feet, all in possession of fireworks. There is a lot of police, but they watch helplessly.”
Agents, and otherwise the riot police, did intervene in various places. "Police officers were injured in several places in the country," the National Police themselves reported. This happened, for example, in Burdaard, Friesland, where three police officers may have suffered hearing damage when they were pelted with heavy fireworks.