Security at S-Bahn stations: weapons ban brings first success!

Security at S-Bahn stations: weapons ban brings first success!

Lichtenberg, Deutschland - The security situation at S-Bahn train stations in Berlin has become increasingly worrying in recent years. According to Berlin Live , the Federal Police has determined an increase in violent intensity, especially in connection with the use of weapons and other dangerous objects. In order to counteract this development, a special campaign was launched in March 2025 to increase the security precautions in the city.

In the period from March 7th to 31st, selected S-Bahn stations was a general order that prohibited the carrying of dangerous objects between 2 p.m. and 4 a.m. The affected train stations included significant nodes such as the main train station, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstrasse and Gesundbrunnen. A total of 3,272 people were checked in this campaign, with 255 hazardous weapons secured.

statistics of the seized weapons

• 146 knife
• 83 irritants
• 19 tools
• 19 cut weapons
• 4 key weapons
• 13 other weapons
• 1 electro pulse device
• 1 pyrotechnics

In addition to the weapons found, 92 violent violations as well as 62 residence offenses and 58 narcotics offenses were registered during controls. The authorities were also able to carry out 43 arrest warrants and score 372 search goals. The operation was seen as a success to strengthen the population's feeling of security and could be implemented again in the future, such as rbb reported.

background of the security measures

The reason for the driving ban of weapons and dangerous objects is easy to understand: an increase in violent offenses on rail facilities and in public. The current figures show that in 2024 there was an increase in violent offenses by over 6% compared to 2023 and almost an increase of 50% was registered compared to 2019. In addition, an increase in violent crime by around 17% in the first half of 2023 was documented in the police crime statistics (PKS) compared to the same period last year, of which a large part took place in public space, such as the bka emphasized.

The increase in acts of violence is attributed to three central factors: the increased mobility after the loss of corona restrictions, economic and social stress by inflation and a high immigration rate. Especially in the age group of children and adolescents there is a striking increase in the suspects, possibly due to the aftermath of pandemic.

The police are actively busy monitoring compliance with the new bans, and violations can be punished with fines. The measures, including the permanent prohibition zones, should help improve security in Berlin and to better protect the public.