Police take action: drugs, weapons and speed discovered in Hamm!

Police take action: drugs, weapons and speed discovered in Hamm!

A comprehensive police operation caused a stir in Hamm last Friday, May 30th. Between 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., the city and the police carried out extensive checks in the train station area, the weapons ban zone in the city center and at the popular trendy meeting point on the Nordring. Not only drugs were uncovered here, but also several traffic violations, as [Express](https://www.express.de/nrw/polizei-hamm-Schwopunktsatz-in-der-innenstadt-drogen- Waffen-und-verkehrsverstoesse-1036459) reported.

A total of almost 40 violations were identified. These included excessive speeds, failure to wear seat belts and using cell phones while driving. Particularly explosive: An e-scooter driver was under the influence of drugs and had to give a blood sample. In addition, both civilian and uniformed officers took action against illegal drug trafficking in the station district, resulting in eight criminal cases being initiated and the seizure of various drugs and cash.

Violations and weapons

The checks also interested residents: a whole number of people were checked in the weapons ban zone on Santa Monica Square and on Südstrasse. Around 60 people were checked during the night. The police seized a PTB weapon and ammunition from a 41-year-old, while a 33-year-old was found with a manipulated cutter knife. Both now have to prepare for severe fines.

The weapons ban zone, in force since August 31, 2024, is evidence of the ongoing debate about security in urban areas. In view of knife attacks like the one that recently took place in Solingen, which resulted in several deaths, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck is calling for an expansion of the gun ban zones and stricter gun laws. Nine federal states across Germany have already set up such zones. North Rhine-Westphalia, which also includes Cologne, is being particularly monitored, as in recent years there have been a total of 1,064 confiscated weapons in cities such as Düsseldorf and Cologne, as [Tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/faktenfinder/ Waffenmarken-100.html) shows.

Traffic controls: A look beyond the city limits

However, traffic controls are not just an issue in Hamm. Similar operations can also be observed in other German cities. In Berlin, for example, 280 road users were checked in Prenzlauer Berg, Wedding and Weißensee. Eleven people had to have their blood drawn after being tested for drugs and alcohol. This shows the increasing pressure on drivers to stick to the rules, as n-tv reports. There, too, action was taken against drug abuse, with two suspected dealers being arrested, for example.

The extensive operation in Hamm as well as the parallels in other cities illustrate the urgency of maintaining security and order in urban centers. It remains to be hoped that the police measures will not only bring short-term success, but will also contribute to reducing drug abuse and violent crime in the long term.