Berlin Seizes 42 Knives in Four Months: Positive Assessment of Prohibition Zones Amid Green Party Criticism

In an effort to combat knife-related violence, Berlin has implemented knife and weapon prohibition zones in three crime-prone areas since February 15. The initiative has led to the confiscation of 42 knives by the police over the first four months, according to a report presented in the Berlin House of Representatives.

The designated prohibition zones include Leopoldplatz in Mitte, Görlitzer Park, and the area surrounding Kottbusser Tor in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. The ban not only covers weapons as defined by the Weapons Act but also includes kitchen knives and other types of utility knives. Between mid-February and June 5, authorities conducted checks on 1,862 individuals, with knives being discovered in approximately one out of every 44 inspections.

Interior Secretary Christian Hochgrebe from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) characterized the results as a success, emphasizing that the primary goal extends beyond mere confiscation of knives. He highlighted the importance of raising public awareness regarding the dangers associated with carrying knives. Hochgrebe stated that the aim is to enhance the overall sense of security through these controls.

In 2024, a significant increase in knife assaults was recorded across Germany, with law enforcement documenting a total of 29,014 incidents. This marks the first occasion in which the police have provided validated figures on knife-related crimes, as previous statistics had often been dispersed across various categories without a unified recording system. In Berlin alone, over 3,500 knife-related offenses were reported in 2024.

Despite the government's positive appraisal, the initiative has faced criticism from opposition parties. Vasili Franco, the interior policy spokesperson for the Green Party, contended that a straightforward review of the figures undermines the purported success of the prohibition zones. He asserted that the bans are neither effectively enforceable nor do they provide any significant benefits, questioning the proportionality of the extensive manpower required for their enforcement.

In response to the ongoing concerns about public safety, the Senate is considering expanding the knife prohibition zones to encompass all public transportation systems. This decision follows a fatal knife attack that occurred at the Sophie-Charlotte-Platz subway station in April.