In September, the NRW Ministry of the Interior reacted to the series of attacks and issued a decree ordering an increased police presence at events. As a result, Dortmund's Christmas city will be in a very special light again this year. The 125th Dortmund Christmas City will take place from November 21 to December 30, 2024. This year, Dortmund police are once again expecting almost two million visitors to enjoy the pre-Christmas season at one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe.
This year, police measures will focus in particular on the danger posed by weapons and knives in the context of such events, especially against the backdrop of these events.
In addition to the individual bans on carrying knives and other dangerous objects ordered by Police Commissioner Gregor Lange in May of this year, the Weapons Act generally prohibits the carrying of weapons and knives at public events, including Christmas markets. The newly created Section 42c of the Weapons Act gives the police the power to closely monitor these bans and to search people and their belongings for this purpose.
On this basis, the Dortmund police force will also carry out increased checks on visitors to Dortmund's Christmas City with regard to the carrying of knives and weapons.
For this purpose, additional police officers in uniform from the police stations, the special services, district services and forces in civilian clothing from the task forces will be deployed for the duration of the market. In combination with the ongoing priority operations in the city center and the forces of the riot police squads from the Focus presence concept, Dortmund police can react flexibly to potential threats or disruptions to public safety. There is also a close exchange with the Federal Police and the Municipal Public Order Service (KOD) of the City of Dortmund.
"Global conflicts and crises within our country are coming to a head. The beginning of the pre-Christmas period is certainly a good opportunity to come closer together as a society and to put more helpfulness and tolerance in place of hatred and aggression. The Dortmund police will do their part to ensure that all visitors to the Christmas city have a safe and enjoyable experience. However, there is never one hundred percent security," said Police Commissioner Gregor Lange at the start of the Christmas market. "Therefore my advice: let's look out for each other. Please report any suspicious observations to the police!"
Together with the city of Dortmund and other law enforcement partners, Dortmund police are once again relying on tried-and-tested lockdown and security concepts this year. Together with the organizers of the Christmas City, these have been adapted for this year's event.
The closure concept consists of mobile and stationary closures and a traffic guidance system, among other things.
As in previous years, Dortmund police will set up a mobile police station at the familiar location (Markt/Westenhellweg) during the Christmas and winter market. Visitors can contact the police here or at the Citywache in Reinoldistraße. At the mobile police station in particular, the focus will be on dialog and joint discussions with the officers. In the event of suspicious activity, Dortmund police ask you to call 110.
Since large events are generally opportunities for pickpockets, the police expressly sensitize all visitors:
Be suspicious of strangers who approach you and expect them to want to steal from you in large crowds. Do not carry your wallet and other valuables in your handbag, but keep them in inside pockets close to your body.