Decreased criminal incidents at football fixtures in Lower Saxony - decreased occurrence of misconduct at football events in Lower Saxony
In the world of soccer in Lower Saxony, a positive trend is emerging. The deployment of police at games has decreased due to a notable decrease in incidents, injuries, and violence, according to recent reports.
This decline can be attributed to the collaborative efforts between clubs, authorities, and fan groups. Clubs have taken a proactive role in ensuring safety by implementing stricter security measures, promoting fan education, and fostering dialogue with supporter groups to discourage violence and the use of pyrotechnic devices during matches.
The collaborative approach includes enhanced security protocols at stadiums, engagement and communication initiatives by clubs, cooperation with police and local authorities, and supporter inclusion programs. These strategies have contributed to the notable decline in violent incidents and pyrotechnics use at matches in Lower Saxony.
Despite the progress, Daniela Behrens, Minister of the Interior, Sport, and Digitalization of Lower Saxony, emphasized that they are not yet at their goal and must remain vigilant. In the 2024/25 season, a measure ordered by Behrens allowed only a few away fans at the second league derby between Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig. This measure, while intended to maintain safety, has received much criticism.
The police may decide to intensify their measures if clubs do not fulfill their responsibility and actively contribute to safety. If clubs do not adapt their security concepts sufficiently, the police may introduce measures such as personalized ticketing or reduce the number of away fans for upcoming derbies. Pyrotechnics use in soccer stadiums of Lower Saxony remains a problem.
The decrease in incidents and injuries occurred during the past soccer season in Lower Saxony. The number of criminal offenses in soccer stadiums of Lower Saxony's professional leagues decreased by 53%, while the number of injuries related to soccer matches decreased by 46%. The total number of cases decreased from 688 to 364 in soccer stadiums of Lower Saxony during the past season.
However, Behrens criticized the decrease in the number of stewards and the issuance of stadium bans by clubs. She expects clubs to learn from past season experiences and adapt their security concepts.
As the soccer season continues, the focus remains on prevention through education and collaboration rather than punitive measures alone. The upcoming derbies may see the implementation of measures to ensure safety and security in soccer stadiums. The reduction in violence in the Lower Saxon stadiums is a step in the right direction, according to Behrens, and reflects an effective shift in managing fan security at soccer games.
- The EC countries might take inspiration from Lower Saxony's employment policy in sports, specifically in soccer, as their clubs have shown success in reducing crime and justice incidents through collaborative efforts.
- The employment policy in crime and general-news sectors could learn from the effective collaboration between Lower Saxony's soccer clubs, authorities, and fan groups in addressing and preventing issues of violence and pyrotechnics use at matches.
