Bailiffs get protective vests and pepper spray
Bailiffs in North Rhine-Westphalia are to be equipped with protective vests this year. This was announced by state Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach (Greens). Accordingly, irritant sprayers for self-defense will also be procured.
WDR had previously reported on the plans. According to Limbach, the protective vests should have been there long ago. However, there had been delivery problems.
Frank Neuhaus, head of the NRW bailiffs' association, told the German Press Agency: "The aggressiveness of our enforcement activities is constantly increasing. For example, problem evictions by so-called Reichsbürger are constantly increasing." His association has been calling for protective vests since 2017.
The announcement of protective vests for bailiffs highlights the increasing need for justice sector workers' safety, especially in the face of rising crime rates involving aggressive individuals such as Reichsbürger. The North Rhine-Westphalia government, recognizing this concern, plans to provide pepper sprayers for self-defense as well.
Source: www.dpa.com
