Knife power in Cologne: Police are alarm - what to do now!

Knife power in Cologne: Police are alarm - what to do now!

The knife power in Cologne has reached worrying dimensions because the city was affected by 30 percent in 2024. According to the police, there are currently about two knife attacks a day in Cologne and Leverkusen. Police President Johannes Hermanns commented on this situation and found that this was "clearly too much". The current situation throws a shadow on the security standards in the region.

A look at the measures that the police took shows that around 27,000 people were checked in the areas declared as prohibitions on weapons, such as the rings, Zülpicher Straße and Wiener Platz. These controls led to 2,500 references and 58 arrests. In addition, 250 administrative offenses and 42 criminal complaints were registered. The police regularly ensure knives that are often hidden in pockets, jackets or backpacks. A particularly bizarre example was a knife that was found under an e-scooter.

controls and their challenges

recently the police organized control days to counter the knife violence. Around 1,300 civil servants were deployed on Halloween 2024 and sections of the Cologne rings were blocked for car traffic. Over 13,000 people were checked during this check. The balance sheet was alarming: 27 knives, a truck, a fireardy dummy, an electric shocker and four pepper sprays were secured. There were also two arrests and 16 incoming.

The union of the police (GdP) in North Rhine-Westphalia supports the introduction of further weapons ban zones. Country chief Michael Mertens was positive about the effect of signs in these zones and emphasized that every seized knife increases the safety standard of the population. However, the controls in the weapons ban zones are intensive and the police are under high pressure due to lack of staff.

political measures and future prospects

The challenges that the police face on raise questions. The controls often have to be carried out by overtime or the reset of other tasks, such as traffic monitoring. North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) has the task of deciding which activities can be neglected to ensure the security of the citizens. He supports random checks, similar to the clan raids or traffic controls, and emphasizes that such measures have a deterrent effect.

remains to be seen how those responsible will react to the increasing knife in the coming months. The security of the citizens in Cologne and Leverkusen is at stake, and urgent measures are needed to contain the violence situation.