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After SV Cup: Violence against police escalates at party in Owen!
After riots at the SV Cup festival in Owen on July 14, 2024, police officers were attacked. The perpetrator was convicted.
After SV Cup: Violence against police escalates at party in Owen!
On July 14, 2024, after the SV Handball Cup in Owen (Esslingen district), there were massive riots that had fatal consequences for the police forces deployed. On Sunday night, around 12:40 a.m., several guests got into an argument in a festival tent, which was initially observed by security. He tried to expel people from the festival grounds who behaved “inadequately”. Despite attempts to de-escalate the aggression, the group responded aggressively to police intervention. The situation quickly escalated, forcing the police to intervene. The officers faced hostility and insults, which led to a physical attack in which at least one male and female police officer were knocked to the ground. Another officer was slightly injured
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The tense conditions led to police internal mobilization: a total of 16 patrol cars were requested to calm the situation. The security concept of the event, which has regularly attracted around 1,700 children and young people for over 30 years, was severely questioned by the violence. The organizer, Timo Gökeler from HSG Owen-Lenningen, was dismayed and made it clear that the aggression did not come from club members or tournament participants. In order to prevent future incidents, coordination with the police and the city is planned
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Legal consequences
After the incidents, a 23-year-old from Esslingen had to answer in court. The Kirchheim district court handed down a sentence of one year and three months probation; This exceeded the prosecutor's demand by three months. The verdict was based on the aggression of the defendant, who had an alcohol level of 1.4 per mille during the crimes. He was also ordered to pay 3,000 euros in compensation to the injured police officer and 1,000 euros to the Baden-Württemberg Police Foundation. If the probation conditions are not adhered to, you face a prison sentence of up to three years
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A police chief, 34 years old, reported the immediate aftermath of the attack: He suffered a bruised skull, shoulder contusion, whiplash and eye irritation, which left him unable to work for a week and away from field work for two months. Psychological after-effects, such as fear when several people approach, place additional stress on him. These injuries shed light on the growing societal problem of violence against police officers.
A growing social problem
In 2023, 46,218 cases of violence against police forces were registered in Germany, a worrying trend. Social tensions, loss of respect for authorities and the influence of alcohol or drugs are cited as causes. Group dynamics in crowds can also have fatal consequences and often lead to physical altercations with emergency services. The legal framework reflects this increase through increased penalties and accelerated criminal proceedings, while at the same time measures to raise public awareness and educate the public remain necessary
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To prevent similar incidents in the future and maximize safety for responders, safety protocols, risk assessments and de-escalation strategies are recommended. Regular training and rapid and consistent intervention in the event of incidents are essential to protecting officers. The emergency services must undergo both physical and psychological training in order to remain able to act in critical situations.