Delivery team in sight: harassment and attacks in Uttershausen

Delivery team in sight: harassment and attacks in Uttershausen

Working as a newspaper deliverer is increasingly challenging, and quite a few of those affected are faced with hostility and threats in their daily work. Udo (59) and Bärbel Hilgenberg, Deliver of the HNA from Gombeth in Hesse, have been bothered in the municipality of Uttershausen since the end of February 2025. On April 13, 2025, the violence of the incidents culminated, when the couple found horrified people together after their tour that their car was defaced with a tire and a pipe and a garbage can on the roof. However, this was not the first incident that the Hilgenbergs came across during their services. Already on February 22, 2025, her car was thrown at eggs. This was followed by another egg throw on March 3, 2025, whereupon the police did not initiate any investigations because it was not a matter of property damage.

After their supply tours were taken over by the HNA in autumn 2024, the situation was tense from the start. Before that, the Hilgenbergs had already worked as a representative deliverer, but had now taken the districts in Uttershausen under their wing. The harassment and increasing uncertainty caused her to park your car on a private property from now on. Ultimately, unknown pylons set up on the street to prevent the Hilgenbergs from continuing. On March 21, 2025, Bärbel was followed by an invisible pursuer during her delivery, which further tightened the already tense situation.

required safety precautions

The incidents subsequently had such a serious effects that Hilgenbergs received the instruction from the HNA of only delivering the newspapers in Uttershausen in daylight. Udo, who grew up as a night person, initially found this new regulation difficult and initially reluctantly changed its tours. Another incident on April 13, 2025, which again accompanied with nuisance, ultimately led to the couple gave up their supply tours in Uttershausen. A new deliverer is now being switched on, who also only does the delivery after dawn. This means that subscribers in Uttershausen have to expect later deliveries.

The Hilgenberg's incidents are unfortunately not an isolated case. In the entire federal territory, deliverers are increasingly exposed to hostility and attacks. An example of this provides the experience of Sabrina Gökce from Bochum, who has been a deliverer for seven years. It describes mobbing and insults by customers who make their work significantly more difficult. An anonymous colleague, Bianca Taner, who has been delivering packages and mail in a West German city since 2017, reports similar experiences. She describes that hostility from people of all ages and genders also arises and also draws attention to a noticeable decline in respect and appreciation.

reactions and initiatives

Nikola Hagleitner, member of the board of Deutsche Post, comments concerned about the xenophobic aggression. In view of the increasing attacks, the company offers de -escalation training for its employees. This initiative is intended to help employees to better manage conflict situations. It is also possible to communicate the company if you no longer want to deliver to certain addresses due to harassment.

In this context, the Federal Government Commissioner also expresses her regret about the reports on racism in the work environment. At this point, the deliverers not only need support from their companies, but also social appreciation for their work.

The Hilgenbergs and their colleagues are therefore not alone with their experiences. The progressive loss of appreciation and respect in society not only makes the deliverers' job excessively stressful, but also endangers their security and mental health.

HNA reports that ...
ZDF explains how the situation is presented ...