A group of up to 120 people was involved in disturbances in Berlin’s Märkisches Viertel on Sunday evening, according to police. The crowd, made up mainly of young people, initially consisted of around 30 individuals before growing in size.
Police said the group set off Pyrotechnics and threw Molotov cocktails and stones. A Molotov cocktail was also thrown at a police officer. The officer was hit, but the incendiary device only ignited after striking the ground. A 14-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident.
The unrest continued for more than two hours, with the size and composition of the groups changing repeatedly. Police described the situation as a game of cat and mouse between officers and the participants. Authorities also said that people tried to move a container into the road and set it on fire.
The Berlin disturbances occurred during a night that saw several incidents involving Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics elsewhere in Germany. Police reported homemade explosive and incendiary devices in Hanover, while in Kiel unknown individuals ignited two Molotov cocktails and spilled motor oil on a footpath. No injuries were reported in Kiel or in the other cities mentioned.
Authorities in several cities also responded to incidents involving thrown fireworks, burning rubbish bins, assaults and disturbances. Police in Hamburg reported increased activity involving groups of young people and issued removal orders in several districts. Munich recorded more than 200 Halloween-related operations, including 30 cases of property damage; police said a group of around 50 people set off pyrotechnics near a shopping centre and threw electric scooters and bicycles down the stairs of an underground station.
Berlin Police are also planning to monitor the situation around schools closely after the autumn holidays. The decision follows nationwide demonstrations by young people linked to the “Gen Z regelt” protests, which were largely peaceful and called for measures including increased school funding, social justice, action on living costs and greater climate protection.
Police said they would remain in close contact with Berlin’s education authorities and schools. A spokesperson for the state police directorate said officers were positioned to reach a school very quickly if necessary. The aim, the spokesperson stressed, was not to prevent demonstrations, but to stop actions such as blocking school entrances.
Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch said political debate was an important part of democracy, but that school access and lessons must not be disrupted. Berlin police said they currently had no evidence of a growing trend toward school blockades or protests, although they were continuing to monitor and analyse developments.
Sources: Der Spiegel.