Quiet in Dusseldorf, harsh in Cologne

Tens of thousands celebrated exuberantly in the strongholds of Cologne and Düsseldorf. While in Düsseldorf the traditional Hoppeditzer Wache in front of the town hall was lively but consistently peaceful, in Cologne the influx of masses resulted in the closure of a railway station. The police also reported a number of crimes.

So there was 11.11. a total of 335 missions in the Cologne city area, around 80 more than the previous year. Officers issued 75 evictions and arrested 28 drunk or rowdy people. In the cathedral city, 145 crimes were recorded, 51 of which involved bodily harm. During the resistance activities, seven policemen were injured, three were later unable to work.

A 27-year-old from Bonn was the victim of a knife attack on Saturday evening. Police officers squeezed the man who was stabbed until rescuers arrived from a severely bleeding cut on his neck. Then the young man was taken to the hospital. Shortly thereafter, 911 services arrested a 24-year-old homeless suspect. A first alcohol test on him showed a value of two per thousand. The police also seized drugs. The man was due to appear before a magistrate on Saturday.

In eight cases, the Cologne police launched investigations into sexual offences, in one case a rape was reported. Police have also fined numerous violations by drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In the evening, officials captured two suspected pickpockets known to police. They had repeatedly danced for revelers and had their cell phones stolen. The two suspects, aged 18 and 23, should also be brought before a magistrate.

In Düsseldorf, a police spokesman reported in a preliminary assessment of a peaceful carnival activity without any abnormalities. Initially, there were no indications of any pending crimes or offences. After the long Corona break, people would celebrate merrily.