STORY: Massive attacks on the police and fire brigade have overshadowed an otherwise largely peaceful New Year’s Eve celebration in the capital. The security forces were shocked after an initial assessment: Anja Dierschke, spokeswoman for the Berlin police: “We as the Berlin police are actually shocked, indignant and also affected, because when people are attacked who are supposed to ensure the safety of the people in this city, when their health is endangered, either by direct attacks or also by delaying access to other dangerous situations, where then these people are endangered again, who may not be able to get help in time if passers-by are attacked.We have an injured three-year-old child , where firecrackers were thrown at the family in the Pläntnerwald. Then that leaves you speechless and there must certainly be talks about how to counter that.” The attacks on the security forces, fire brigade, passers-by and road users had an intensity that had not been known from previous years, said the spokeswoman. Dozens of people were taken into custody. The focus was on Neukölln, Gropiusstadt, Gesundbrunnen and Kreuzberg. Overall, several police officers were injured during the operations – including very seriously.