Reul proposes revoking driving privileges from individuals convicted of committing knife-related homicides.
knife-related violence in North Rhine-Westphalia has experienced a significant surge - authorities noted approximately 40% more instances in 2023. Minister of the Interior Reul is attempting to curb this trend. To bring about immediate results, the CDU politician is focusing on revoking the driver's licenses of habitual knife offenders.
Reul discussed this strategy during talks on tackling rising knife crimes. He emphasized, "There's the issue of moral fitness." Individuals with a history of crime should be reported to traffic authorities with the goal of revoking or denying a driver's license, as per Reul's office. "Effective change can be brought about through indirect methods as well," added Reul. Authorities could then scrutinize whether an offender is fit for driving privileges or not.
Reul proposed a suite of measures to combat knife violence, which local law enforcement agencies can employ. Simultaneously, Reul released a data analysis of knife crimes in NRW. "The analysis shows that knife violence is prevalent among the youth and male population," the minister noted. Public knife violence incidents increased by an alarming 42.6% to 3,536 cases in 2023 in NRW.
The majority of offenders, amounting to 55%, were German nationals, while 45% did not hold a German passport. "I am alarmed by the disproportionately high representation of non-German citizens among the suspects," Reul stated. He also mentioned a connection between weapon-carrying and masculinity perception, which is detrimental to society.
The 'Traffic Light' Coalition proposals swift action plan
Reul also suggested bolstering police engagement with young refugees from societies marred by violence, educating them on the societal norms against public knife possession due to the state's sole right to utilize force.
Post the knife attack in Solingen, the federal government vowed measures to tackle similar incidents. The 'Traffic Light' Coalition plans to present a swift action plan, according to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. "Discussions with the government are ongoing since Saturday, and we're currently in the final editing stage," Hebestreit shared. He expects the resolution to be swift.
However, Hebestreit did not disclose details about the contents. Additionally, the 'Traffic Light' Coalition will confer with opposition parties and federal states on the consequences of the suspected Islamist attack. The exact date for the first meeting of the task force established by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains undetermined, Hebestreit mentioned. The discussions will revolve around deporting rejected asylum seekers, fighting Islamic terrorism, and gun control.
Following Reul's strategy to combat knife-related violence, authorities are considering revoking the driver's licenses of habitual knife offenders, as seen in the aftermath of the knife attack in Solingen. The 'Traffic Light' Coalition, in response to this incident, is set to propose a swift action plan to tackle similar incidents.
