Carola Schouten, chair of the Offensive against Explosions: “Nowhere in Europe are as many attacks committed with heavy fireworks and explosives as in the Netherlands. The consequences are significant: residents and neighbors lose their sense of safety, buildings are heavily damaged, and the risks to public order are great. In some cases, this has led to fatalities or serious bodily injury. This calls for a joint approach. The Offensive Against Explosions, in which the ministry, municipalities, police, Public Prosecution Service, and public-private parties participate, is doing everything possible to achieve a strong reduction in the number of explosions.”
Action Plan
The action plan of the Offensive outlines the priorities for the upcoming period in the areas of prevention, investigation and prosecution, aftercare, and local approaches. The Offensive maintains a dynamic working method whereby actions and measures are adjusted based on what works and what does not, as well as based on new knowledge and insights. For the coming year, the goal is to reduce the number of attacks by at least 10%.
Prevention
Efforts are focused on preventing attacks with measures that reduce the source of perpetrators. For example, by making often vulnerable potential perpetrators more resilient to the temptations of easy money through targeted communication. Coaches of Only You Determine Who You Are are trained in the approach to explosives. Only You Determine Who You Are is a recognized behavioral intervention in which young people aged 10 to 18 are guided by trained trainers who act as role models and mentors. These trainers will start workshops on the topic of explosions for young people at the end of April. The workshops will be given to approximately 5000 participants this year. Targeted communication is also used to increase the willingness of people to report in order to prevent (repeat) explosions. This includes cooperation with Meld Misdaad Anoniem.
Investigation and Prosecution
The police and Public Prosecution Service are further investing in the investigation and prosecution after attacks, and they are conducting national coordination so that all units can optimally deploy intelligence, investigation, disruption, and immediate response regarding explosions. This national approach provides opportunities to act more decisively against criminal networks, including clients, brokers, facilitators, and recruiters. At the same time, efforts are made to disrupt the illegal market.
Aftercare and Local Approach
To strengthen the local approach to the explosion problem, a framework for municipalities is being developed. This framework addresses three phases: when there is a threat of an explosion, when an explosion has actually occurred, and the aftercare for victims and the surrounding area. This framework also pays attention to the consequences of housing closure and/or relocation of the target. Furthermore, information materials are being developed to be distributed after an explosion. The added value of an aftercare team (for example, the neighborhood officer, a municipal employee, a housing corporation employee, or volunteers) that goes into the neighborhood shortly after the incident to provide aftercare is also being explored. The Network Explosions in Municipalities has also been established to share best practices and make them widely applicable and disseminate them where possible.
European Approach to Illegal Fireworks
To tackle the illegal production, transport, and sale of heavy fireworks at the source, the Minister of JenV, together with the Offensive, advocates for cooperation between European member states and for measures at the European level. International cooperation is also being intensified at the operational level. For example, in March, the National Police organized an international conference at Europol, where police delegations from 7 countries came together to discuss cooperation regarding the fight against the flows of heavy illegal fireworks and explosives in Europe.
David van Weel, Minister of Justice and Security: “The approach to attacks with explosives is complex, multifaceted, and resistant, and requires cooperation on all fronts: from prevention to prosecution, and from local to European approaches. Heavy fireworks and explosives endanger lives. This must stop. I am very grateful to the Offensive for the actions and measures being taken and have confidence in the effectiveness of the efforts. I will continue to work at the European level to combat the supply and trade of illegal fireworks. Together, we can turn the tide.”