On New Year’s Eve, a large police force is expected to protect the cathedral and the surrounding area of Cologne’s landmark. “We have adjusted our force approach“said operations manager Martin Lotz on Friday afternoon at a press conference between the police, the city and the cathedral administration.
Around 1,000 police officers are on duty. The police have prepared for all conceivable scenarios at the cathedral and in the surrounding area.
“There will also be police officers with submachine guns and protective vests.”
Martin Lotz
Operations Manager
He called on the population to support the police and, for example, to report suspects with unusual luggage.
Visitors will continue to be searched
The cathedral is still only open for church services and their visitors. You will be searched at the entrance to the cathedral. A large police force guards the area surrounding the cathedral.
The police had already taken a suspected Islamist threat into custody before Christmas. The 30-year-old from Tajikistan is suspected of being involved in planning an attack. Among other things, he is said to have scouted out security precautions in the cathedral. Four suspects were arrested in Austria.
However, it is unclear whether the police stopped planning for attacks with the arrests. That’s why strict security precautions have been in place at Cologne Cathedral since Christmas.
Firecracker ban extended
The city of Cologne has extended the ban on firecrackers on New Year’s Eve to large parts of the city center. The ban applies for the entirety of December 31st and the entirety of January 1st. Igniting firecrackers is not permitted on the left bank of the Rhine between the Rhine and the Rings. You are also not allowed to shoot at the rings themselves.
According to the city, 90 emergency services from the public order office will monitor the ban on firecrackers in the city center. Violations can result in a fine of up to 200 euros.
Up to 400 security forces are deployed on behalf of the city in the area around Cologne Cathedral on New Year’s Eve.
Our sources:
- city Cologne
- Cologne Police
- Cathedral administration
- press conference
WDR will also report on this topic on December 29, 2023 on television on WDR Lokalzeit from Cologne and on the radio on WDR 2.