Brutal attacks, illegal fireworks, destruction! The results of the Berlin police on New Year’s Eve are shocking: 1,453 crimes in just one night. Particularly explosive: 40 percent of the suspects did not have a German passport. A scandal that revives the debate about integration and security.
A week after the turbulent New Year’s Eve, the Berlin police presented their results – and the shocking figures justify a thorough follow-up: 1,453 “typical New Year’s Eve crimes” were registered – a significant increase of 125 cases compared to the previous year.
Although the share of the foreign population in Berlin is relatively small, the number of crimes such as attacks on police officers or serious damage to property was significantly higher on New Year’s Eve. According to the police, a total of 670 suspects have been arrested. Of these, 406 had German citizenship and 264 another nationality. How many of the registered Germans also have a migration background is not determined or shown in the balance sheet. According to this data, almost 40 percent of suspects (39.4 percent to be precise) do not have a German passport. The share of people without German citizenship in Berlin is only 24.4 percent.
This disproportionate distribution is once again causing heated debates – “alarming”, according to security circles. Critics speak of a failed integration policy.
According to investigators, 40 of the suspects allegedly attacked emergency services. This concerns 16 adults, 12 young people (18 to 20 years old) and 11 young people (14 to 17 years old) and one child. According to the police, 21 suspects have German nationality and 19 suspects have another nationality.
According to the police, the main areas of concern were 531 cases of property damage and 274 violations of the weapons law. With 241 cases, the police also registered a striking number of physical injuries. Violations of the Explosives Act were registered 54 times. The police also emphasize that a suspect can often have committed multiple crimes.
“New Year’s Eve confused with war”
A total of 44 police officers were injured during the New Year’s Eve operation. Last year there were 54 police officers – and that was 1,328 crimes typical of New Year’s Eve. A particularly frightening incident took place in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district: a police officer was seriously injured in the leg by illegal fireworks. He had to undergo emergency surgery. A colleague also injured his hand when splinters were used.
“This is one of the lowest points of the night,” explains police spokesperson Florian Nath. Police officers at an intersection were shot with fireworks by bystanders after other groups had previously shot fireworks at each other throughout the evening. “We have never experienced anything like this before. They confused New Year’s Eve with war!”
7 tons of illegal pyrotechnics
In the run-up to New Year’s Eve, police presence in the city increased after the official sale of fireworks began on December 28, 2024. According to the police, a total of almost 7 tons of illegal fireworks – including 20 so-called bullet bombs – were seized.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
