Dutch police increase border security to stop illegal fireworks
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Dutch police are closely monitoring the borders with Germany and Belgium to prevent illegal fireworks from entering the country after a ban on consumer fireworks took effect on August 1.
Ko Minderhoud, the national coordinator for fireworks, explained that the increased surveillance aims to stop large quantities of fireworks before New Year’s Eve, protecting emergency workers from attacks. Police began preparing an enforcement plan when the ban started and report early efforts in border regions are already successful.
Officers are exchanging information with colleagues in Germany and Belgium to identify people and vehicles involved in the regional fireworks trade, and they are also tracking online sales. Minderhoud noted the illegal fireworks trade is becoming more organised, resembling the international drug trade. However, the police have responded by creating a larger, earlier-acting organisation to counter it.
Residents are also participating in a government initiative to voluntarily hand in illegal fireworks, and they turned in around 360 kilograms during the first few days of the program.
