Bonn report on knife attacks Police record 90 stabbing incidents through June
Bonn · From January to June of 2019, Bonn police were called out 90 times to incidents involving knives. The impression of the police is that the number of knife attacks has increased.
At the beginning of August, a 30-year-old man is attacked at Konrad-Adenauer-Platz in Bonn-Beuel from out of the blue, by a person using a pointed object. The victim, who is waiting for his order in the outdoor area of a fast food restaurant, is injured in the face. A few days later, a 27-year-old man sitting with his girlfriend on a bench on the banks of the Rhine in Beuel is attacked with a knifelike object. He receives injuries to his shoulder and neck. Later, the police arrest a 21-year-old man who is thought to be responsible for both acts. The man denies the attacks and the motivation behind the crimes remains unclear.
The two attacks in Beuel attracted considerable attention - and joined a list of incidents in which knives played a role. Whether in public or at home, whether planned or stemming from an emotional reaction, whether the stabbing weapon remains stashed away or is actually used: It seems as if knives and other stabbing weapons are being used more quickly and frequently than a few years ago. The NRW state government shares this impression conveyed by many police officers. Since the beginning of the year, knife attacks are now being recorded separately - which was previously not the case in crime statistics.
Bonn police: 90 attacks using stabbing weapons
The statistics: In the first six months of this year, Bonn police, responsible for the Bonn city area, Bad Honnef, Königswinter and the Rhein-Sieg district on the left bank of the Rhine, recorded a total of 90 incidents involving stabbing weapons. According to police spokesman Simon Rott, in 26 cases, the weapons had a blade sharpened on both sides or a fixed blade. In 60 cases, it was another type of stabbing weapon such as a screwdriver, small sword or spike.
According to an analysis carried out between January 1 and June 30, the Ministry of the Interior in NRW had already registered 2,883 criminal offenses using knives as a weapon and recorded a count of 3,555 victims and persons who were threatened.
In regard to whether or not Bonn is more affected than other cities, Wolfgang Beus, spokesman for the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior says: "You can't give an assessment until next year at the earliest.” More time was needed to have an adequate comparison period with which to make an assessment. However, he admits the study was started "because we have the feeling that it has become more. Not only incidences when knives are used, but also how often they are carried.”
Udo Schott, Chairman of the Bonn Police Union (GdP), shares Beus' assessment. The development is worrying. In general, one can see that the tendency to "use a stabbing weapon is increasing, regardless of whether the person is attacking or defending himself".
Incidences involving knives are difficult and dangerous for police, especially when they take place in spaces that limit their possibilities to react. In terms of being equipped properly, Schott says there is a gap: pepper spray doesn’t always work, a police baton requires them to get close to the person with a knife in their hand, and a gun is used only as a last resort. The police union sees the use of a taser as a possible way to fill the gap. Bonn police are being trained how to handle scenarios involving knives, including the use of a taser. But further training is needed and it was not yet determined as to when the taser would be put into use.
According to police union spokesman Rott, police are receiving intensive training in how to deal with these stressful situations. Even during supposedly simple operations or checks, a knife could suddenly come into play. As a result, police not only receive training, but also stab protection vests.
The Bonn Homicide Commission, which is also responsible for the districts of Euskirchen and Rhein-Sieg, counted eight cases last year in which knives were used and a homicide was committed. The police advise citizens to "de-escalate", flee and call for help.
Orig. text: Ayla Jacob
Translation: ck
