Berlin Introduces Permanent Knife Ban in Three High-Crime Areas

The new zones aim to reduce knife-related violence, but enforcement challenges and numerous exceptions raise questions.

Knife and weapon bans are now in effect at Görlitzer Park, Kottbusser Tor, and Leopoldplatz, areas with high rates of knife violence.
Violators face fines up to €10,000, and confiscated weapons will not be returned to their owners.
Exceptions include knives used for professional purposes, cultural practices, sports, and non-accessible transport of knives.
Critics question the feasibility of enforcement, with concerns about racial profiling and the practicality of monitoring public spaces.
Police emphasize discretion in enforcement and have launched multilingual outreach efforts to inform residents about the rules.