After massive youth violence – police are now investigating 45 suspects

According to Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU), the investigation into several cases of youth violence in Potsdam is now directed against 45 suspects. “This shows that the educational work is worthwhile, but also that more affected victims, parents of those affected, are reporting to the police and filing a complaint,” said Redmann in a post on Instagram. This is the prerequisite for being able to punish the perpetrators.

The minister said anyone affected by crime or who could provide information should contact the police. The authorities worked more closely together than before to ensure that criminal structures did not become entrenched. “We’re doing everything we can to make it happen.”

After continued media reporting, Interior Minister Redmann said in October that he believed a total of 25 people in the city were responsible for the acts of violence. “We know every single person who belongs to it, including their immigration status and their origin,” he said. Many come from Syria and Chechnya, and occasionally from Germany. They are between 13 and 21 years old. Most of them came to the attention of the police several times. Five people are already in custody.

The police are checking whether a new case from Thursday evening in Potsdam is related to other crimes. A 15-year-old is said to have been asked about e-cigarettes (vapes) by a group of six to eight people in the shopping center at the main train station. A teenager then searched his pockets and hit him in the face with his fist.