The number of minors in the Netherlands carrying firearms has surged by 40 percent over the past four years, with police seizing 358 guns from teenagers in 2024 alone. This rise is attributed to the growing influence of youth gangs and the ease of obtaining firearms online, as warned by Tolga Koklu, the deputy police chief for Rotterdam. He emphasizes that the weapons confiscated represent only a fraction of the total in circulation, with gang involvement making firearms a status symbol among teens.
In addition to firearms, authorities are seeing a dramatic increase in the possession of heavy-duty fireworks, which have risen by more than 50 percent. These explosives are often used in violent attacks, with 1,250 incidents reported in 2024 alone. Police highlight the urgency of this issue, noting that vulnerable youths from disadvantaged backgrounds are being recruited by criminal networks. Rotterdam’s mayor is taking action by exploring strategies to combat this alarming trend, including urging for a nationwide ban on fireworks.
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