- Violence against emergency workers remains high
Law enforcement officers continue to be frequent victims of violence in Lower Saxony. Last year, there were 4,467 incidents, one more than the previous year, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior in Hanover. This number has increased significantly in recent years. For example, there were around 3,200 incidents of violence in 2018. This means that an average of about twelve incidents were registered per day last year. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) spoke of a nationwide increasing phenomenon.
In 2023, a total of 10,430 victims were recorded statewide, around 300 more than in 2022. However, fewer law enforcement officers were injured in these incidents. In 2023, there were 1,628, compared to 1,661 the previous year.
Men were significantly more frequently suspected
Suspects: Around 85 percent of suspects last year were men, and about 70 percent were of German nationality. Alcohol intoxication was established in more than half of the suspects. Interior Minister Behrens said: "It's German adult men who are drunk and attacking people in uniform. That's how simple it is to put it." The minister also said: "Victims don't care who attacks them. It's not any better if it's a German than if it's a non-German."
Recently, there have been discussions about whether the nationality of suspects should generally be mentioned in media reports. North Rhine-Westphalia wants to take such a step, citing increased transparency. Lower Saxony, however, does not plan to do so. The previous approach of only mentioning nationality in exceptional cases has proven itself, the Ministry of the Interior said a few days ago.
Police union: Stagnation is no consolation
Police: The number of incidents of violence against police officers remained almost identical at 4,245 compared to 2022. The number of victims increased by more than 300 to over 10,000 last year. 1,539 officers were injured, slightly fewer than the previous year. Here, too, there has often been an increasing trend in recent years.
In 2018, the number of injured police officers was just over 1,100. Kevin Komolka, chairman of the Police Union (GdP), said: "The fact that the number of offenses against police employees has stagnated last year is no real consolation given the high number of over 10,000 victims. We must not be satisfied with this and must remain active in various areas."
Fire department: After a peak in 2022 (54), the number of incidents decreased to 39 last year. Twelve personnel were injured, the same number as the previous year. According to the ministry, the incidents were mainly cases of physical assault and hooliganism.
Other rescue services: The number of incidents increased to 231 from 213 the previous year. 77 were injured, fewer than in 2022 (92).
Minister: Attacks are absolutely unacceptable
Behrens thanked the police, fire department, and rescue services for their work. "That's why it's absolutely unacceptable to attack these people while they are performing their important duties, whether verbally or with physical violence, while they are working to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens."
The problem of attacks cannot be solved solely through police or state measures, said the Minister. It requires a societal recognition of this behavior, emphasized Behrens.
She also pointed to the measures taken in recent years to improve protection, such as the widespread introduction of body cameras. Body cameras are video cameras worn on the body and activated, for example, during confrontations. Recordings can then help identify perpetrators more easily.
More members in voluntary fire departments
Behrens presented another annual report today, focusing on voluntary fire departments in the country. They once again recorded an increase in members. By the end of 2023, there were 131,844 men and women engaged in voluntary service - an increase of 1,262 compared to the previous year. The number has been increasing annually since 2019.
Two-thirds of the new volunteers last year were women, according to State Fire Director Dieter Rohrberg. Their share of the deployment forces increased to 14.6 percent. Last year, fire departments in Lower Saxony were called out to around 125,500 incidents, about 2,100 more than in 2022.
The positive trend in membership numbers also continued in the youth fire departments. According to the ministry, there were a total of around 51,500 girls and boys active last year, an increase of over 4,100 compared to the previous year.
Minister: People can rely on disaster protection
The fire and disaster protection in the country was heavily challenged in recent times, for example during the New Year's flood. Behrens thanked the forces for their efforts. "It's a good feeling to know that people in Lower Saxony can always rely on a functioning disaster protection," said the Minister. The helpers are to be honored with a medal of honor for their service.
Fire departments are called for various reasons, not just for fire incidents, but also for help with storm damage or accidents. State Fire Director Rohrberg expressed concern about the continued high number of malicious alarms. There were 647 such cases last year, roughly the same level as in 2022.
Firefighting crews occasionally face challenges during their duties. Last year, there were 39 incidents involving firefighters in Lower Saxony, resulting in twelve injuries. Interior Minister Behrens addressed the issue, stating, "It's unacceptable to attack firefighters while they are performing their important duties, whether verbally or with physical violence."
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