- The Minister Expresses: Solingen Law Enforcement Remains Extra Vigilant
In Lower Saxony and Bremen, heightened security measures for large events are being reconsidered following a fatal stabbing incident in Solingen. "We've been on high alert, especially since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel," stated Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD). The police are "extra vigilant" and are implementing security measures at large events based on their own assessment, considering information from the national level.
"Primarily, we're examining a boost in police presence at well-attended events," said the minister. "Regrettably, it's challenging for security agencies to foresee assaults by lone actors in advance."
Lower Saxony is considering expanding "knife-free zones." The Interior Ministry communicated its preference for a "combination of measures: fewer knives, more prevention, and more checks." They are currently engaged in constructive dialogues with major cities and police headquarters regarding the establishment and expansion of knife-free zones. Lower Saxony has also proposed fortifying federal knife regulations via the Bundesrat, including prohibitions on specific knives and an outright ban on switchblades.
CDU faction leader Sebastian Lechner opined on the enhancements to knife prohibitions, stating, "No one requires knives in public except for professional purposes. Yet, it's also evident that perpetrators will always devise methods to execute their actions, employing whatever resources they can obtain. Therefore, deterrence is key, affording both the police and the constitutional protection office additional power to achieve that."
Three perished and eight were injured, four critically, at a city festival in Solingen on Friday evening. The suspected assailant, a 26-year-old Syrian, is now in custody. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating him for murder charges and affiliations with the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS).
In Bremen, the Interior Ministry declared that they will strengthen entrance screenings for the Freimarkt, commencing on October 18. This is aimed at enforcing the ban on weapons, glass bottles, and hazardous items. The ministry is also considering expanding video surveillance in the entrance areas and primary paths.
Police presence will increase on Vegesacker market, as announced by the Interior Ministry, starting this Friday. "However, there are no indications of any specific threats in Bremen or Bremerhaven."
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) expressed during his visit to Solingen that knife usage regulations would be strengthened. "This is commendable and more practical than designating numerous knife-free zones," the Bremen Interior Ministry said. "Nonetheless, another knife-free zone is planned around the Mayor-Koschnick-Platz in Bremen until a broader regulation is implemented."
The Senate will deliberate over this matter in the upcoming days or weeks. Carrying weapons is already prohibited at night in the Bremen railway station district, as well as in the Ostertor and Steintor districts.
In Oldenburg, where a three-day city festival commences on Thursday, the security strategy had already been adjusted before the Solingen incident. "We've augmented our involvement in terms of personnel, tactics, and technology as a result," said Andreas Sagehorn, President of the Oldenburg Police Directorate. "Unfortunately, absolute safety cannot be guaranteed - but we'll do everything we can to ensure a safer city festival in Oldenburg this year as well."
"Germany, specifically Lower Saxony, is reconsidering heightened security measures for large events in light of the fatal stabbing incident in Solingen."
"In addition to their actions in Lower Saxony, the German Interior Ministry is also strengthening entrance screenings in Bremen, aiming to enforce knife-free zones and increase video surveillance."
