German government condemns New Year's Eve violence after hundreds of arrests The German government on Wednesday condemned a series of incidents on New Year’s Eve in which police officers and firefighters were attacked and injured, mostly with fireworks.
In Berlin, 30 police officers and one firefighter were injured in confrontations or attacks during New Year's Eve, leading to 400 arrests, city officials said.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: “The deployment of strong police forces from the federal states and the federal police and an early and consistent crackdown are the right means against perpetrators of violence and chaos.
However, the many arrests in Berlin alone and the renewed attacks on police officers also show that this crackdown was absolutely necessary.”.
Revellers across the country traditionally ring in the new year by setting off large numbers of fireworks in public places.
