Berlin and Brandenburg Police⁢ Face Rising Violence, Especially on New year’s​ eve

Berlin ⁣and Brandenburg police are facing an alarming increase​ in attacks, particularly during New Year’s Eve celebrations.Officials report a growing⁤ trend of violence directed at law enforcement⁤ and‌ emergency service personnel, raising concerns about officer safety and public order.

Riot Police Deployed for High-Risk Events

Riot police units are frequently deployed to manage large-scale events such as demonstrations,state visits,and⁣ international meetings. ‍These‍ specialized units are also dispatched ⁣to football games deemed to have a high potential for ⁣violence,as well as for securing large locations and conducting specialized searches. According to police⁣ officials, these units are utilized⁤ “wherever it can be ​perilous.”

New year’s Eve: A Flashpoint for Violence

Authorities are ​particularly concerned about the upcoming New Year’s⁣ Eve celebrations in Berlin. “The violence that ‍night, specifically against police officers​ and emergency services, has become considerably ​more,” one official stated. “we are going to be in use and already know ⁢that it will pop.”

Data from previous years underscores these concerns. during the New Year’s‌ celebrations at the start of 2023, 40 officers were attacked, resulting in 34⁢ injuries. Police⁢ described “massive attacks” throughout the city, noting an intensity “which in their ‌intensity​ could not‍ be⁢ compared with previous years.”

The following New Year’s Eve saw 58 officers attacked, with 17 injured, eight by pyrotechnics. One officer sustained serious injuries from a ball bomb explosion, requiring multiple surgeries. Martin Hikel, District Mayor of Berlin-neukölln, criticized the unrest, stating that some people ⁤”celebrate very wildly, a ​bit as if​ you were here in war areas” on‌ ZDF.

Erosion‌ of Understanding and Respect

While similar deployments occurred two decades ago, their⁣ frequency has increased significantly. “In the meantime, the number‌ of strokes is significantly higher, ‍and sharp weapons are increasingly playing a role,” a police official noted.

A key difference,according ⁢to⁢ law ‌enforcement,is ⁢a decline ‌in⁤ public understanding and respect for ⁣police work. “In the past, I was able to talk to every⁢ person in action, whether right or⁣ left, ⁢I was able to understand their point of view.” Now, officers are⁤ more wary. Statistics indicate a‍ gradual increase in attacks on‍ police ⁣officers since 2019, with current numbers at a high.

Brandenburg Sees Similar Trends

Brandenburg has also experienced ⁣a surge in violence against⁢ police. In 2024, authorities‌ recorded 1,492 cases of⁣ violence against police officers, with 2,972 officers counted as victims – 186 more than the previous year. This ‌translates to approximately eight officers attacked per day. Over 86% of the cases involved resistance or assault, and⁤ one officer was seriously injured. These figures represent a ⁣record ‌high.

Interior Minister Katrin lange​ (SPD) has condemned the trend, calling it “worrying” and emphasizing that ​those ⁣who help others should not be targets of violence and threats.

Attacks Now “Everyday Life”

Philipp Klein, a veteran of the Brandenburg riot police,‌ described the shift in attitudes. “When I started with the police, it was always a big topic when a police ​officer was attacked…That was always a huge excitement in the circle ​of colleagues. ⁤It used to⁢ be an outstanding event. Now it is normal, has now become everyday life.”

“We never know what awaits us exactly at the scene,” Klein ​added, referencing incidents ⁢like a recent standoff‍ in Vieritz where a man‍ fired on officers. In January, a policeman from Saxony was killed in a deployment⁣ in Lauchhammer. “It has become more ​extreme,we always have to be prepared ⁢today that violence is practiced. And we⁣ also ⁣notice that⁤ it has become more,” ‌said Klein.

In 2018, there were 979 attacks on police officers in Brandenburg.The following year, 1,262 attacks were⁣ counted, with 2,162 officers victimized. Since than, the numbers have continued to climb, with resistance to law enforcement being the ⁣most common ⁣offense, ⁤often ‌involving intoxicated individuals.

Training and Prevention Efforts

Police officer Klein notes that even⁤ routine stops can quickly escalate. “It can escalate every day, even for none reasons. It used to be the ⁤case, but today it​ happens much more.” He ⁤believes the willingness ⁢to use violence against police has increased, and “the inhibition threshold has dropped.”

Across⁣ Germany, attacks on police officers have risen. The Federal⁣ Criminal Police Office reports a⁣ continuous increase as 2017,with 46,218 acts of violence against police forces registered in 2023 – an 8% increase from the previous year. 105,708 officers were⁢ victims of such attacks, a nearly 10%‍ increase. Resistance and assault accounted for the majority of offenses (84.5%).

Police departments are implementing targeted training programs ⁢and lectures to better prepare officers for these situations.

Despite the challenges, both Klein⁤ and ‌Jochens say they ‍would choose a career in law enforcement again, viewing it‌ as a calling. While they wouldn’t discourage their children from ⁢following the same⁣ path, they acknowledge the inherent⁢ risks.