Enhancing Security Against Edged Weapons: Exploring Four Potential Strategies - Strategies for preventing knife assaults: explore these potential solutions
In the midst of nationwide shock, a mentally ill woman launched a rampage at Hamburg's main station on Friday evening, injuring 18 people. This attack is the latest in a series of knife-related violent incidents across Germany, with a significant increase in cases of dangerous and severe bodily harm involving knives reported last year.
The incident has reignited a debate among German authorities, police unions, and politicians regarding effective measures to curb knife violence. Four key proposals are under discussion, aiming to reduce the number of attacks, enhance security, and increase the overall sense of safety.
Nationwide Knife Ban Under Consideration
One proposal involves expanding knife ban zones in various regions, such as the introduction of such zones in the old town of Düsseldorf and on school grounds. These zones prohibit the carrying of knives at certain times and places, but the suggestions have extended to a nationwide ban on knife possession in specific locations.
The CDU/CSU's vice-fraction leader responsible for the interior, Günter Krings, advocates for the expansion of these bans at certain locations. He argues that anyone carrying a knife at major events, on school grounds, or in danger zones should face consequences. The SPD's interior politician Sebastian Fiedler has gone a step further, suggesting a nationwide knife ban. This would ensure that fewer knives are carried on the streets and prevent varying regulations across different federal states.
A fundamental ban would have exceptions for tradespeople and professionals requiring knives for work, as well as pocket knives. However, the FDP has expressed resistance to a total ban.
The police union (GdP) also supports a nationwide ban, stating that knives have no place on the streets, at train stations, or in public places. A nationwide ban could be an important step, but it requires consistent controls, swift and sensitive penalties, and targeted prevention.
Deployment of Video Surveillance with AI
The Police Union has proposed using AI-assisted video surveillance, particularly at train stations, to assist police officers in identifying potential perpetrators. This AI-assisted technology includes behavior recognition, which could help analyze and interpret individuals' movements in real-time. In Hamburg, this technology is being tested.
However, security experts caution that knife attacks often occur at close range, silently, and can inflict severe injuries in a short amount of time. Even if potential perpetrators can be identified, there may not be enough time to intervene.
Better Preparation of the Police
Efficient threat management by security authorities is crucial in preventing such attacks. Interior expert Sebastian Fiedler of the SPD calls for standardized procedural guidelines for all federal and state police authorities, starting with a uniform language and leading to binding recommendations for further steps.
Greens' parliamentary group vice-chairman Konstantin von Notz criticizes that the capacities of the Federal Police are tied up with border controls. He insists that sufficient police officers should be present at particularly dangerous locations like airports and train stations.
The CDU has also called for a new category of high-risk offenders with "mixed and unstable motivations" to be introduced. Currently, there is no nationwide statistics on how often mentally ill people are responsible for knife-related violent crimes, but studies suggest that the likelihood of violence among this population is slightly higher than in the general population.
The response from the psychological community has long been: prevention and early intervention. Security authorities should collaborate more closely with psychiatric facilities and psychologists. Investing in prevention, especially for juveniles and repeat offenders, is crucial in protecting the public.
Migration and Foreign Crime
Many perpetrators of recent knife attacks have been known to the police and should have been deported. The CDU/CSU wants to make it easier to deport repeat offenders. They also voice concerns about the overrepresentation of foreign crime in this area, calling for a clear migration policy response.
The extensive debate on knife violence will be discussed in the federal government's coalition committee meeting for the first time on Wednesday.
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- The CDU/CSU's vice-fraction leader, Günter Krings, is advocating for a nationwide ban on knife possession in specific locations, such as major events, school grounds, and danger zones, arguing that it will help reduce attacks and enhance security.
- The SPD's interior politician, Sebastian Fiedler, is proposing a nationwide knife ban to ensure fewer knives are carried on the streets and prevent varying regulations across different federal states.
- The Police Union (GdP) supports a nationwide ban on knives and suggests using AI-assisted video surveillance, particularly at train stations, to assist police officers in identifying potential perpetrators.
- Efficient threat management by security authorities is crucial in preventing knife-related attacks, according to interior expert Sebastian Fiedler of the SPD. He calls for standardized procedural guidelines and closer collaboration between security authorities and psychiatric facilities.
