Following a tragic knife attack in the city of Aschaffenburg, the German Police Union (GdP) has called for urgent measures to strengthen security across the country.
Jochen Kopelke, head of the union, emphasized that the situation has reached a critical point and demands “swift and decisive action,” according to the dpa news agency. Kopelke noted that current discussions about immigration fail to address the full depth of the issue. In his view, Germany needs a comprehensive security strategy that requires significant financial investment and should have been implemented long ago.
Additionally, he proposed mandatory medical evaluations for individuals with histories of violence or mental health issues to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
Representatives of the GdP in Bavaria expressed outrage following the killing of a young child and called for immediate action. They stressed that it is time to move beyond empty rhetoric, expressions of sympathy, and political debates. The union advocates for expanding police powers, improving technical equipment, enhancing video surveillance, and increasing the number of personnel.
The attack occurred on the afternoon of January 22 in a central park in Aschaffenburg. The assailant killed two people—a 41-year-old man and a 2-year-old boy. Two other victims are hospitalized with serious injuries. According to media reports, the suspect is a 28-year-old Afghan residing in a refugee shelter and suffering from mental health issues. Police have nearly ruled out terrorism as a motive.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that measures must be taken to prevent similar incidents involving those seeking asylum in the country.
