2024-09-29 13:31:14
After a week of Oktoberfest, the Munich police are happy to receive a surprising number of selfie requests from mostly “peaceful and polite” visitors who want to take pictures with the officers. The first week on the festival grounds was a heated confrontation with people, many of whom were “expressly grateful for the security,” the Munich police headquarters announced on Sunday in the mid-term review of Oktoberfest. A strong police presence on the festival grounds – around 600 police officers on duty – is therefore clearly welcomed by visitors.
The police have reason to be happy, especially when it comes to crimes. Because in almost all crimes, the police recorded less crimes in the central place of Oktoberfest in 2023. A total of 317 crimes have been identified so far, which is less than the previous year with 479 crimes. So far, 101 people have been detained, compared to 111 people a year ago.
Fortunately, serious crimes such as robbery or murder have not yet been registered – in 2023 there were two robbery offenses after one week of Oktoberfest. Aggressive crimes have also decreased significantly. There have been 84 actions so far, compared to 130 cases in 2023. 31 of these cases were considered a physical risk – eight times a cup of alcohol. A year ago there were 44 serious physical injuries, including 18 crimes involving a “measured cup”. What is also encouraging, speaking, is the reduction of injured workers: so far six policemen have been injured in 2023 and there are twice as many with thirteen injured.
Tips against cell phone theft
And it is clear that there is less theft at Oktoberfest: the police have registered 73 theft crimes so far, 108 in 2023. The boxes, which are in numbers, have fallen quickly: only 16 cases we have reported, compared to a year ago. 79. Like every year, pickpocket investigators from other federal states and abroad are on the job this time. Last Monday, investigators from Berlin were able to observe three suspects aged 17 to 18 speeding away from a cabin. One of the young men hid two wallets under his jacket. In the toilet, one of the suspects found a bag, put the money in the bag – several hundred euros – and then threw the bag in the trash. When the three tried to share the money, the police arrested them. The police therefore advise against placing purses or cell phones under tables or chairs. Charges should be carried as close to the body as possible and in locked bags.
Sexual offenses also fell slightly with 31 cases reported (2023: 34). In one case, the crime of rape was committed: a man reached under a woman’s skirt and performed sexual acts against her will. A 34-year-old Romanian who worked on the site is suspected. It seems that the suspect wanted to help a 22-year-old woman from Great Britain who fell on the path of the showman business. Another case is currently under investigation. In 2023, two rapes were recorded at halftime.
Contact the police immediately
Most sexual offenses are sexual harassment and “injuries to the intimate area by taking pictures”, which is called upskirting. This includes photographing or ripping women up their skirts. The police said it again: Anyone who thinks they are “taking photos or videos of other people who have sexual intentions, touching them or worse, will quickly find a body they have the Wieswache court and then in criminal cases.” The police appeal to the public to contact the police, security personnel or other visitors as early as possible if they suddenly find themselves in a situation where they feel “uncomfortable”.
Drug-related crimes are also decreasing, which is primarily due to new legal regulations regarding the use of marijuana. There have been 59 reports so far, and 151 in 2023. Most of the cases are cocaine-related crimes, police said.
We also received a sandwich
Due to the increase in knife attacks and less attacks in Solingen, access controls at Oktoberfest are restricted. In three cases, the gatekeepers called the police: one complaint under the Firearms Act was for “carrying a hand knife,” and one was for drug trafficking. A guest is also “protected with a lunch knife he carries to avoid danger”.
In addition to many police officers, security at Oktoberfest is also supported by 54 video cameras. This addition to the “eyes and ears” of the police means that criminals can be caught in the act. In addition, during emergency calls, records can provide emergency services with “live information about the situation on the ground”.
Despite the decrease in recorded crimes, the number of police jobs in 901 is slightly higher than the number of the previous year, when there were 838 jobs. The operations are based on emergency calls by 110 and on the sightings of “clothed and civil police” present on the festival grounds. What is clearly shown in the balance sheet is that guests followed the police appeal and also reported “high-level suspicious findings” by emergency call. Hence the significant increase in activities “due to suspicious people”. While the police out on three of these jobs in 2023, this year already of 25 of these jobs. This kind of bravery should be viewed positively, according to the police. The following should continue to be used: “If a situation or person seems suspicious to you, call the police emergency number 110!”
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