The one-on-one approach, based on a very limited budget, increases the fear of getting caught and undermines the bomb-makers’ platform.•60.5% remove their footage•532 are given a personal warning•Task Force is viewed 280,000 times on YouTube•4,000 reactions from shocked bomb-makers•€4.5 million worth of free publicity•5% fewer firework victims•3% fewer victims with serious injuries (17% to 14%)•0 deaths