- More violent crime around Hamburg's main railway station
The number of violent crimes around the Hamburg main station** has continued to rise this year despite increased police presence. In the St. Georg district alone, 527 such offenses were recorded in the first six months of this year, according to a government response to a written parliamentary question from the AfD. This is an increase of 174 cases or 33 percent compared to the same period last year.
The government cites the increased police presence in the city center, including as part of the "Secure Main Station Alliance," as a significant factor in this increase. Since April last year, so-called Quattro patrols by Hamburg police, federal police, DB security, and HVV have been patrolling the most frequented station in Germany.
Many of these incidents, according to the government, occur within the drug scene around the station. "The increased police presence has led to an increased willingness to report these persons, resulting in more offenses being reported that would not have been in the past," it said.
Overall crime slightly down
Overall, however, crime in St. Georg has decreased slightly. In the first half of the year, 15,130 offenses were recorded, 264 fewer cases or 1.7 percent less than in the same period last year.
Since October last year, a weapons ban has been in effect around the main station. In April of this year, an alcohol ban was added, specifically for the Hachmann and Heidi-Kabel squares in front of the station. Violations can result in a fine of 40 euros, and up to 200 euros in repeat cases.
Fines for violating alcohol ban
Since the introduction of the alcohol ban, 54 administrative offense proceedings have been initiated, the interior ministry said. Initially, it was mostly warnings in the first few weeks after it came into effect. Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) said the measures are working: "With the introduction of the weapons and alcohol consumption ban, it has been possible to significantly improve security and the quality of stay at the main station," he said.
The video surveillance in the station area is also to be expanded. On Wednesday, Grote will, together with police president Falk Schnabel, put 27 cameras on the Hachmann and Heidi-Kabel squares into operation.
Despite the decrease in overall crime in St. Georg, the number of violent crimes at the Hamburg main station continues to increase, reaching 527 cases in the first half of this year. This rise in violent crimes can be attributed, in part, to the increased police presence and the subsequent increase in reported offenses within the drug scene around the station.
The government's implementation of a weapons ban and an alcohol ban around the main station has resulted in a significant improvement in security, with 54 administrative offense proceedings initiated since the introduction of the alcohol ban.
