Police and paramedics are preparing for the last weekend
For the paramedics, this Oktoberfest has so far been more relaxed than last year. Compared to 2023, the number of patients fell by more than ten percent by the halfway point. Why this is is unclear. Nevertheless, the emergency services are preparing for the finale. “We are preparing for a weekend with a lot of visitors,” says Michel Belcijan, operations manager of the Aicher Ambulance and operations manager of the Oktoberfest medical guard. The helpers expect an increase in operations over the next few days. The last Saturday of the Oktoberfest was the busiest day last year.
The police have also recorded a very significant decrease in crimes compared to the previous year. Less pickpocketing, fewer sexual crimes, fewer physical injuries, fewer arrests. The police see one reason in prevention work. “People seem to be heeding the appeals,” said a spokesman. The fact that guests are reaching for non-alcoholic drinks more often than before may also play a role. Drunk driving has also decreased.
Due to the new legal regulations regarding the handling of cannabis, the number of reports of drug offenses fell. Most of the cases at the Oktoberfest involved cocaine. Guests have only been caught smoking joints a few times – Bavaria has banned smoking at folk festivals by state law.
You can read what happens one evening at the Oktoberfest medical station here (SZ Plus):