Police stop knifeman (26) at Christmas market

In the heart of Munich, an afternoon unfolded like any other, until a 26-year-old gentleman caught the attention of attentive onlookers due to his peculiar behavior. With a rucksack slung over his shoulders, he stood before the town hall. A closer look revealed the source of the commotion: two pocket knifes, each with a blade length of 12 centimeters, tucked away within his bag.

The scene quickly escalated as these suspicious actions prompted worried employees to contact the authorities. Officers swarmed the area, both in uniform and undercover, to scrutinize the situation. The man with the rucksack was apprehended, identified as a Serbian with a history of violent behavior. After confirming his identity, he was released from custody.

As Saturday came to a close, Munich's Christmas market braced itself for evening festivities. The police were prepared to safeguard the festivities from potential harm, with District 11 officers and riot police on standby, alongside mobile barriers and concrete plant troughs guarding the entrances. Their mission was to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for visitors from around the globe.

Director Sandro Heymig, Head of Police Station 11, expressed their vigilance despite a lack of specific threats. "Incidents like recent events in Cologne have been considered in our current assessments," he said. Random bag checks would be conducted to maintain security in the Christmas market area.

The city's cooperation with the police and local authorities ensured heightened security. No concrete threat was reported for Munich yet, but past attacks in Germany have taught a valuable lesson in vigilance. Regardless, the festive atmosphere of the market thrived, unencumbered by fear.

Sources:

Despite the recent increased attention on security measures following various attacks and incidents, specific details on the ones implemented for Munich's Christmas market are not provided in the sources. Nonetheless, broad insight into Germany's heightened security protocols and the need for robust security measures at public gatherings can be derived from these events.