Firework selling season opens
The Dutch firework season opens on Wednesday, meaning consumers can buy fireworks from licenced dealers between now and the start of the New Year festivities on Friday.
Consumers have to be at least 16 years old to buy fireworks, which may only be set off between 10.00 hours on December 31st and 02.00 hours on January 1.
New Year celebrations in the Netherlands are traditionally marred by violence and fires. Last year, dozens of cars were set on fire and over 400 people arrested.
Court
The public prosecution department has already pledged to introduce fast-track trials for offenders this year and says people who attack police, fire officers and ambulance workers face three months in jail, rather than the standard one month.
In The Hague, Den Bosch, Rotterdam and Zoetermeer, mayors are using anti-football hooligan legislation to ban known troublemakers from certain areas.
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