Rioters continue to attack the Wathlingen memorial – citizens on alert!

Rioters continue to attack the Wathlingen memorial – citizens on alert!

The problems with rioting young people are becoming more and more pressing, as the recent incidents in Nienhagen and Wathlingen show. In particular, the memorial for 17-year-old Kjell Hendryk Paulsen, who died in an accident on September 23, 2023, was the victim of property damage, in which unknown persons did not shy away from damaging the memorial. The mayor of Wathlingen, Torsten Harms, stated that a supra-community group was active at night and the situation required quick action to ensure the safety of citizens. This shows that there is a serious problem in dealing with juvenile crime. According to a report by the Celle newspaper The police in Wathlingen have been arresting more rioters since the end of May and have recorded 20 operations during this time.

At the same time, the Celle police are working to contain the incidents. As the Celle police station According to reports, identity checks and expulsions were issued on the railway line in Wathlingen. In some cases there were even reports of administrative offenses. In particular, the increased deployment and the introduction of security patrols by a security service are intended to help restore peace and order in the affected areas. The security company only began its work last weekend and is trying to use a cautious approach to bring the rioters to their senses.

Neighborhood problems in Nienhagen

The problems seem to be spreading beyond Nienhagen. Mayor Jörg Makel has repeatedly encouraged citizens to report incidents to the police. As resident Marion Hoffmann reports, cases of vandalism are increasing, including destroyed garden chairs and unpleasant destruction in the neighborhood. Residents are also concerned about torn-out garden lighting and a damaged estate agent sign. The Nienhagen municipality administration is also planning to expand video surveillance and examine how to deal with such incidents to ensure a return to a peaceful neighborhood.

The decision of the Wathlingen administrative committee to carry out regular patrols represents a first step in combating juvenile crime. Incidents increase on the weekends, especially in the Schafstallweg area. Mayor Makel makes it clear that they not only want to identify the perpetrators, but also prosecute minor administrative offenses. This is particularly relevant in the current debate about juvenile crime, as there are repeated calls for harsher punishments, but this is often viewed as ineffective. Experts repeatedly emphasize the need for preventive measures in order to deal effectively with the problem instead of just acting reactively.

The role of youth in society

According to that Federal Agency for Civic Education The perception of juvenile crime is characterized by fears and worries, which can be reinforced by media reporting. Acts of violence in public spaces not only generate fear, but also show how young people are often influenced by peer groups and act impulsively in situations. The majority of young people who commit crimes usually commit minor crimes, with simple theft and damage to property predominating. The need for a differentiated approach is more urgent than ever in order to learn from these painful experiences and develop effective prevention strategies.