Pinneberg: Extension of the control area by February 2025

Pinneberg: Extension of the control area by February 2025

The police in Pinneberg recently decided to extend the control area due to a continued high level of crime until February 28, 2025. This was made public on Wednesday, August 28, and represents the second extension of this measure. The original control area was first set up on December 22, 2023 when the situation was already worrying.

The district management officer Marcel Kretschmer of the Pinneberg police reported that over 500 crimes and administrative offenses in the control area were recorded in the period between February 17 and August 7, 2024. Among other things, this includes 100 dangerous crimes and 39 cases of deprivation of freedom or coercion. "This is a relatively high number," says Kretschmer, who also indicates the over 1000 crimes in 2023. The police motivated such high numbers of crime to take preventive measures.

measures to combat crime

The extended arrangement of the control area gives the emergency services extended powers, which include identity assessments as well as physical searches and the control of the objects carried out. According to Kretschmer, this control has proven itself as an effective means of reacting to crime or danger sites at an early stage. The aim is to improve the security in the affected area and prevent crimes preventively.

A worrying incident in June, in which attempted bodily harm in the Drosteipark, underlines the need for these measures. The alleged perpetrator, an older man, was armed with a knife and was initially able to flee. During a subsequent search of his apartment, the officials not only found the knife, but also a sharp firearm including over 100 cartridges and various dangerous items.

regular checks and their results

The police regularly carry out controls in the city center, with illegal weapons and other forbidden objects being found again and again. A remarkable incident was the search of a kiosk on Bahnhofstrasse, where Zöllner secured almost 24,000 cigarettes, 76 kilograms of hookah tobacco and several shotguns and pepper sprays.

The police have also found that a significant number of knives are confiscated in young people. The circle of perpetrators is very mixed and comes from different social classes. However, the existing problem does not only seem to be limited to the kiosks or old town area. Kretschmer makes it clear: “There is a significant density of crimes within the control area.”

rumors about the possibility of betting zones have also been addressed, but Kretschmer points out that such measures would only make sense if there is sufficient personnel to effectively monitor these zones.

Despite the challenges, Kretschmer emphasizes that citizens in Pinneberg do not have to feel unsafe. "We are relatively strong. The citizens can safely go through the city center. There are no legal zones or no-go areas," he assures, "if something like this is, we would react immediately."

The control area includes several streets, including Friedrich-Ebert-Straße, Bismarckstrasse and the Drosteipark, to name just a few. This targeted enforcement of security measures is intended to help reduce crime in the region and to strengthen the feeling of security.