Law Enforcement Initiates Offensive Action - Police enforcement enforces prohibition on carrying knives starting today
In a bid to curb rising knife-related violence and improve passenger safety, Berlin has implemented a comprehensive ban on knives and weapons across all forms of public transportation, including S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams, ferries, stations, and platforms.
The new regulation, which came into effect on July 17, 2025, prohibits all types of knives, firearms, gas pistols, pepper spray, and blank-firing weapons. The ban applies to all public transportation vehicles, platforms, and stations, but does not extend to bus and tram stops.
Under the new ordinance, police now have broader authority to conduct searches for weapons on public transport, making it possible to control and confiscate prohibited items even without concrete suspicion. Large-scale police operations, involving more than 100 officers of the state police, federal police, and security personnel of the BVG, began immediately after the ban took effect.
The police have been focusing their efforts on young men, conducting thorough searches of clothing, bags, and backpacks. Photos of seized knives have been posted online, serving as a stark reminder of the need for the new measures.
However, the Police Union (GdP) has criticized the controls as an additional and personnel-intensive task.
Exceptions to the ban are not explicitly mentioned in official announcements, and it appears that the policy is implemented as a blanket prohibition. However, certain professions, such as police, firefighters, chefs, and restaurant owners, are exempt from the ban, as are individuals who carry knives in connection with cultural practices, hunting, or sports.
The operation, which began at Alexanderplatz and focused on the U-Bahn line U8, aims to curb violent crime and ensure more safety. The ban on carrying weapons and certain, usually more dangerous knives is also governed by the Weapons Act.
It is worth noting that newly purchased knives that are still packaged for transport are not banned. The police have distributed information flyers in several languages, made announcements in U-Bahn stations, and displayed texts about the knife ban on information boards.
The new regulation in Berlin's public transportation is part of a broader effort to enhance safety in the city. Similar bans were already in effect in certain parks and squares before being extended to all public transportation. The authorities hope that these measures will contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all Berlin residents and visitors.
- The new employment policy, focusing on public safety, mandates the broader authority of policing personnel to search for weapons on public transportation, aligning with the recent ban on knives and weapons across EC countries' transportation systems.
- Amidst rising crime and violence concerns, the policy-and-legislation department has initiated a new general news topic, implementing stricter employment policies regarding knife-related safety across EC countries, with Germany serving as a prominent example.
