The commencement of Germany’s annual Karneval season is being met with heightened security measures and a significantly increased police presence at parades and celebrations, reflecting a growing national anxiety following a series of violent attacks on public gatherings. According to Jochen Kopelke, national chairman of the German Police Union (GdP), the new approach is specifically designed to mitigate the risk of knife attacks and facilitate a more rapid response to potential threats.
Police deployments will include both uniformed and plainclothes officers strategically positioned within crowds, a tactic aimed at blending security with a semblance of normalcy. However, the implementation of these strategies varies considerably between federal states, dictated by the capabilities of local police forces, Kopelke explained. While all parades and large-scale events are undergoing assessments based on the prevailing security landscape, the practical measures deployed are not uniform.
Beyond increased officer numbers, visible changes include the expanded use of physical barriers. Police are moving beyond traditional concrete blocks, investing in height-adjustable barriers to prevent vehicle-borne attacks. Kopelke highlighted the considerable upgrade in this area, noting a marked increase in technical deployments compared to a decade prior. Furthermore, traffic diversions, weapons-free zones and enhanced monitoring of social media are also key components of the revised security protocols.
The escalating use of drones across Germany and Europe has also prompted a concerted effort to counter potential aerial threats during carnivals and other mass gatherings. However, the readiness levels in this regard are uneven. States like Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are demonstrably better equipped to respond to drone sightings than regions such as Saarland, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Saxony-Anhalt, or Thuringia. Crucially, all police forces are being urged to develop the ability to quickly identify drones to distinguish between recreational users, law enforcement assets and potentially malicious activity.
The increased vigilance underscores a palpable shift in approach following a string of devastating vehicle attacks and knife assaults targeting Christmas markets and public events in recent years. Kopelke is strongly advising event organizers to proactively engage with local police forces prior to events, seeking guidance and preparatory assistance. The message is clear: the scale of security measures will be directly proportional to the scale of the event, reflecting a new era of caution and heightened responsibility within German public spaces.