Drug scene in Lüneburg: residents raise the alarm!

In Lüneburg there are increasing concerns about drug use and trade in the city center. Iris Prinke-Gosch, a physiotherapist, reported problematic conditions in the courtyard of her practice, where drugs are used and sold. In an open letter, resident Arndt Liebermann expressed concern about the growing drug scene and vandalism near the St. Johannis Church and the pub "Jekyll & Hyde". Despite these reports, the Lüneburg police could not confirm significant increase in drug crime, vandalism and assault, which may be due to the fact that incidents are not sufficiently reported.

Pastor Diederik Noordveld also referred to the challenges of a drinking scene, people with mental illnesses and consumers of drugs in the area. Prinke-Gosch explained that she often had no time to call the police and instead speak directly to the people in the courtyard. The courtyard is often dirty with urine, vomit and rubbish, which is stressful for them. Noordveld welcomed the rehabilitation of the round table through the city to discuss the problems.

police and city administration react

The discussion about the drug scene is also continued on the Facebook page of the state newspaper, whereby residents and traders are to be included. City spokeswoman Ann-Kristin Jenckel announced an exchange between the police and the residents. The Lüneburg/Lüchow-Dannenberg/Uelzen police inspection reported that the number of offenses between 2022 and 2023 remained stable, but a possible increase was expected in 2024. Regular focus controls and the use of civil investigators have already been initiated, and residents are encouraged to report crimes. Pastor Noordveld fears that the situation could tighten in the warmer months.

In parallel to these local developments, the Lüneburg police department dealt with the overall picture of crime in the region. In 2023, 81,200 crimes were recorded, an increase of 4.97 percent compared to the previous year. This has been the highest number of crimes since 2017 and is well above the ten -year mean. The increase in theft offenses was particularly striking, which increased by 10.49 percent to a total of 26,967 cases.

The police directorate emphasized that the clarification rate was increased to 64.61 percent, which represents the second best quota in Lower Saxony. While crimes went back to life, crimes against sexual self -determination and burglary were recorded. With the current challenges there is a clear need for action, both in the strategy of police work and in communication with the population.