New Year's Eve riots in Bad Oldesloe: Police are investigating excessive violence!

On New Year's Eve 2024, there were significant riots in Bad Oldesloe, Stormarn district, which shocked the local population. A 90-second video shows groups of people shooting rockets and firecrackers at each other. The police have now started an investigation into property damage after the door of the listed town hall was damaged.

Mayor Jörg Lembke expressed concern about the incidents and estimates that the renovation of the town hall could be costly, as the entire entrance portal will probably have to be repaired. The police have already filed a complaint about damage to property and are appealing for witnesses to help. Some tips were received after a call from the public and are now being followed up.

Investigations and possible consequences

City politicians are also looking into the possibility of a general ban on firecrackers for the next New Year's Eve. This was particularly triggered by the horrific images from New Year's Eve, which reminded many residents of a theater of war. An additional video shows three young men shooting pistol-like objects into the air from cars, which are presumably blank weapons. Possible criminal offenses that are in the room include illegal possession of weapons and bodily harm.

The volunteer fire department was also deployed several times on New Year's Eve as dangerous fireworks batteries were used. In view of the incidents, the chairman of the Green parliamentary group, Wilfried Janson, suggested a central fireworks display or a drone show as an alternative to firecrackers. A motion to ban firecrackers is being discussed in the technical committee, but is too short-term for other groups.