Reul proposes revoking driving privileges from individuals responsible for fatal knife attacks.
The rise in knife violence in North Rhine-Westphalia has seen a significant surge, with approximately 40% more incidents reported by authorities in 2023. In response, Interior Minister Reul has declared war on this trend. To swiftly implement changes, Reul intends to focus on the driver's licenses of violent offenders. Reul explained, referencing knife offenders, "There's the aspect of character fitness." Individuals with a history of criminal involvement should be reported to traffic authorities with the aim of revoking or refusing to issue a driver's license, according to Reul's office. The minister continued, "You can also achieve an effect through the back door." The traffic authorities could then evaluate whether an offender is fit for a driver's license or not.
Minister Reul unveiled a gamut of measures to combat knife violence, which local police authorities could use as a guideline. Simultaneously, Reul provided a statistical analysis of knife crimes in NRW, stating, "The analysis reveals that knife violence is predominantly young and male." Public knife violence increased by 42.6% to 3,536 cases in 2023 in NRW.
The majority of offenders, accounting for 55%, are German citizens, while 45% do not possess a German passport. Worried by the overrepresentation of non-citizens, Reul commented, "It's concerning that, considering the population's foreigner share, those without German citizenship are disproportionately represented." Reul added that knife-carrying can be linked to machismo, which conflicts with societal norms.
Reul suggested a heightened police response towards young refugees who hail from violent societies. They need to understand that carrying knives in public is unnecessary and undesired in Germany due to the state's monopoly on violence.
Following the knife attack in Solingen, the federal government also outlined plans to prevent future incidents. The traffic light coalition plans to present a package of measures "soon," as stated by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Talks within the government are ongoing, and results are expected "very soon." There will also be discussions between the traffic light coalition, the opposition Union, and the federal states on the consequences of the suspected Islamist attack. The date of the first meeting for the task force announced by Chancellor Scholz has yet to be announced, Hebestreit revealed. The talks will focus on deporting rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin, combatting Islamist terrorism, and gun regulation.
The Commission, appointed to analyze the rise in knife violence, found that 55% of offenders are German citizens, raising concerns about the overrepresentation of non-citizens. Recognizing the need for action, The Commission suggested collaborating with The Commission for Integration and Migration to address this issue.
