During New Years Eve, the police referred more suspects to the Public Prosecution Service than last year. There are 171 people suspected of offenses related to New Years Eve, an increase of 42.5 percent. Several investigations are still ongoing. Based on camera footage and additional research, the police expect to arrest more suspects. Especially in Central Netherlands (+59 percent), significantly more arrests were made around New Years Eve than the average of the past three New Years Eves.
Impact
In addition to more incidents involving fire, fireworks, and vandalism, there was also an increase in violence against emergency responders. In total, 406 police officers and 122 other emergency responders were victims of violence. The number of incidents involving violence against the police rose by 16 percent. The riot police (ME) was frequently deployed this New Years Eve, and there were severe incidents, accidents, and fires with significant impact. The police are still investigating several incidents where deliberate violence may have been used against firefighters and ambulance personnel.
Ambushes
Chief Janny Knol expressed her anger this week about the fireworks violence against police and emergency responders during New Years Eve. According to her, it appears that in several cases heavy fireworks were deliberately used to attack emergency responders and police, and that colleagues were sometimes lured into ambushes. This indicates intentional and coordinated actions, said Knol. Perpetrators disguised themselves with balaclavas. Reports were made and fires were set to lure emergency services out. Subsequently, emergency responders were targeted with fireworks apparently purchased specifically for this purpose. This is criminal behavior in an organized context.
Penalties
According to Knol, the Public Prosecution Service demands strict penalties: We give extra urgency to tracking down suspects. I want perpetrators of violence not to get away with it and to be severely punished. In my opinion, this should be supplemented with the possibility to keep them off the streets during future New Years Eves as well. I am thinking of house arrest, reporting obligations, or community service. Knol emphasizes that penalties alone do not solve the problem of violence during New Years Eve: The norm must change. We all play a role in that.