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.