Dealing with attacks involving explosives
In the Netherlands there has been a dramatic increase in the number of attacks involving explosives targeting residential buildings, businesses, cars and other vehicles. Together with its partners, the government is taking action to reduce these numbers.
Sharp rise in the number of attacks
In 2024 there were 1,543 attacks or attempted attacks involving explosives, compared to 901 in 2023 – an increase of 71%.
Notable aspects of attacks involving explosives
Measures to stop attacks involving explosives
Central government is taking steps to reduce the number of attacks involving explosives. To this end it is working with:
- municipalities;
- the police;
- the Public Prosecution Service;
- housing corporations;
- insurance companies;
- the probation service;
- the business community.
Together they form the Offensive against Explosives.
The Offensive against Explosives is taking measures to:
- prevent attacks;
- track down and prosecute perpetrators;
- enhance the local approach and provide aftercare.
Anti-crime policy can also cover attacks involving explosives
The government is also taking general measures to combat crime. These measures also indirectly help to address the issue of attacks involving explosives. They include:
- combating organised crime;
- preventing youth crime;
- cracking down on illegal heavy-duty fireworks.
Research into attacks involving explosives
There will be more research into attacks involving explosives, including the reasons for the attacks and how exactly young people are being recruited online. Research will also be carried out into how other countries are preventing attacks involving explosives.
Tackling the problem of heavy-duty fireworks through European cooperation
The government is in talks with other EU countries about imposing stricter, uniform measures on heavy-duty fireworks. One way this could be done is by requiring vendors to verify that buyers have the necessary specialised knowledge. Another example would be a ban on the production of specific types of professional explosive fireworks such as flashbangs. There is little demand for this category of explosive within the pyrotechnics industry, but it is frequently used by criminals in attacks.