LKA Lower Saxony welcomes international experts to combat terrorism

LKA Lower Saxony welcomes international experts to combat terrorism

A comprehensive commitment to strengthening internal security is currently visible in Lower Saxony. On June 17, 2025, the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA) will receive a delegation from the Collège Européen de Police (CEPOL) for the first time. This event, which includes expert lectures and workshops on preventing and combating terrorism, attracts experts from six countries, including Lebanon, Morocco and Germany. Thorsten Massinger, President of the LKA Lower Saxony, emphasized the importance of national security in the European network, while Axel Brockmann, State Police Chief of Lower Saxony, emphasized the exchange with international security authorities. These initiatives are part of an active effort to address the real challenges of terrorism and crime. Information about the exchange, e.g. about financial investigations against terrorist structures, is the focus in order to analyze and stop money flows. Account analyzes and international payment reconciliations are on the agenda here.

But that's not all: the LKA Lower Saxony is also actively taking part in a nationwide survey on security and crime. Around 40,000 randomly selected people in Lower Saxony receive mail from the LKA in order to record frequent incidents related to crime. This survey provides valuable information that uncovers the dark field and thus supplements the police crime statistics. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens emphasizes the relevance of this survey, which is being conducted online for the first time and whose focus is on the topic of sexual harassment. It is noteworthy that the participation rate has been up to 40 percent in recent years, which shows that the topics are generating keen interest.

International cooperation

In the context of international cooperation, it is also clear how important the exchange of information between EU states is. Formalized procedures are essential because criminal organizations and terrorists often use false identities to escape the authorities. New rules to strengthen the Schengen Information System (SIS), introduced in 2018, aim to prevent such practices. The SIS allows police and border guards to enter and exchange information about wanted people or stolen items. Europol plays an important role, supporting national cooperation in the fight against terrorism and promoting more effective data exchange through expanded powers.

Europol recently received permission to create dedicated counter-terrorism units, including the European Counter-Terrorism Centre. These developments are crucial to create common standards in the EU's security architecture and to intensify cooperation between states. Beyond the challenges, the measures taken are a step in the right direction to strengthen not only security within Germany, but also European security as a whole.

Conclusion

The current measures, both international cooperation and the local crime survey, show that the LKA Lower Saxony is actively committed to a safer future. By promoting dialogue with international partners and at the same time gathering the opinions of citizens in its own region, the LKA is taking an important step towards greater security and trust. The clear message: Security is not just written on paper, but is driven forward through concrete action.

A holistic approach to combating crime and terrorism is therefore required, which, in addition to preventive measures, also relies on close networking between states. In this way we can ensure that Lower Saxony and the entire EU are perceived as a safe area.

For further information about the event and the surveys: Lueneburg current, NDR, European Parliament.