The EU must introduce a track-and-trace system for powerful fireworks and ban the production of “cobras”, the firework of choice used in a growing number of targeted explosions at private property, campaigners said on Monday.

There has been a marked increase in attacks involving illegal fireworks, often produced legally in other countries and imported illegally to the Netherlands, according to the Offensief Tegen Explosies campaign group.

In 2024, police recorded 1,443 such attacks, compared to 901 in 2023, representing a 71% increase. This year’s tally is expected to equal last year’s, despite an action plan to combat the problem.

Rotterdam mayor Carola Schouten, who chairs the organisation made up of police, insurers, the public prosecution office and local councils, said the Netherlands needs the help of other countries to tackle fireworks crime.

“Production and trade are ongoing. We can take measures at our end but if nothing happens on the other end, our hands are tied,” she told broadcaster NOS.

Schouten called for a ban on the production some types of firework and a track-and-trace system for powerful fireworks to monitor their destination. On a national level, she said, border controls must be intensified.

According to police fireworks coordinator Ko Minderhoud, the trade in explosives has been taken over by organised crime. “These are the people who are also trading in cocaine and guns. There is a lot of money to be made,” he told the broadcaster. Minderhoud also pointed to the difficulty of getting a grip on the growing number of teenagers who are recruited via social media to carry out the attacks.

Minderhoud said he is optimistic about a positive response to the call for stricter EU measures. Police forces in France, Sweden, Poland, Czechia and Slovenia and European police force Europol echo the Dutch concerns, he said.

A national ban on all consumer fireworks is set to come into effect next year but Schouten said that will not greatly affect the trade in illegal fireworks.  Police intercepted a shipment of over seven tonnes of illegal fireworks in a van during a routine control on the A15 near Kesteren in Gelderland just days ago.

Amputations

Accidents involving fireworks have already led to 10 amputations this year, according to figures from the plastic surgeons association NVPC, double the number at the same time last year.

In five years, the average age of victims has gone down from 23 to 13, the association warned, and injuries are getting more serious. “We’ve had to amputate several hands already this year and that is just the start,” spokesman Ernst Smits told the AD.

The NVPC has launched a campaign with clothing company Four and several influencers featuring the Cobra one-sleeve – a one-armed hoodie to act as a warning. “If we can prevent even one victim, we will be happy,” Smit said.