During the action week, extra efforts were made to tackle heavy fireworks. The police focused on the transportation, storage, and sale of heavy fireworks. This was done using intelligence-led operations, utilizing information from previous investigations to conduct targeted checks.
Fifteen suspects
Fifteen suspects were arrested for possession and trade of heavy fireworks. The suspects ranged in age from 14 to 38 years old, coming from The Hague (5), Rotterdam (4), Capelle aan den IJssel (2), Lisse (1), Gorinchem (1), Krimpen aan den IJssel (1), and Nieuw-Schoonebeek (1). Eleven of them were eighteen years or younger, with the youngest suspect being 14 years old.
3500 grams of flash powder
The total amount of fireworks seized is still under investigation. The police found among others 210 cobras, 100 shells, 400 butterflies, 3000 DumBums, and 50 avalanche rockets. Notably, homemade fireworks were found with a minor. The EOD was called out to detonate these. Another example is the discovery of an explosive containing approximately 3500 grams of flash powder in a storage room at a residence in The Hague. An explosive with such an amount of flash powder has not been found before. The 22-year-old resident was also arrested in August for possession of heavy fireworks in the same storage room.
Another striking and worrying result of the action week is that almost all heavy fireworks were found in homes and basement storage units in residential areas. In and under beds and in spaces where wiring was not in order, with all the associated risks. A small static spark would be enough to detonate the fireworks, and the consequences under these circumstances are unforeseeable.
Explosions
Heavy fireworks are used in the context of criminal conflicts, but also in other conflicts such as neighbor disputes, relationship quarrels, or business disagreements. In the first half of 2025, there were seventy explosions in The Hague Unit, a slight increase compared to 2024. In 2024, a total of 124 explosions occurred.
Risk
Heavy fireworks, prohibited for consumers, pose a year-round risk to users, bystanders, and emergency responders. Leading up to New Years Eve, incidents involving such explosives are increasingly common. It is also noted that people often seem unaware of the risks of increasingly heavy fireworks. The cobra is comparable in explosive power to a hand grenade, and fireworks containing up to ten times more gunpowder than a cobra are now seen.
Role of citizens
To remove as many of these explosives from the streets as possible, the police cooperate with partners such as the Public Prosecution Service and municipalities. Increasing investments are made in a joint national approach (Offensive Against Explosions). The role of citizens is also crucial. As the eyes and ears of society, everyone is vital for detecting suspicious situations and making reports.
With various actions in municipalities, such as the surrender week in The Hague where recently 80 kilos of fireworks were handed in, and the campaign ‘It’s just fireworks’, residents are called upon to help tackle heavy fireworks. By raising awareness of the risks and the role they can play, as parents for example, but also as attentive neighbors, involvement is increased and willingness to report is stimulated.
What you can do
If you suspect fireworks are being stored and/or traded somewhere, please contact the police at 0900-8844. If you prefer to remain anonymous, call 0800-7000 with Crime Stoppers. You can also fill in and send the tip form below. Together, we can reduce the amount of heavy fireworks on the streets.
