The Federal Police Headquarters in Potsdam announced on 24 September 2026 that it will bolster its presence at more than ten of the country’s busiest railway stations from 25 to 27 September. The move is part of a year-long package of measures aimed at curbing increases in violent crime and safeguarding international and domestic travellers. Affected hubs include Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Hamburg-Altona, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt—locations that together process hundreds of thousands of commuters, long-distance passengers and cross-border travellers each day. Additional uniformed and plain-clothes officers, mobile surveillance units and canine teams will patrol platforms, concourses and inter-city train services. The stepped-up controls follow an internal review showing that incidents of assault and theft at large stations have risen by 12 % year-on-year since the reintroduction of temporary border checks in 2024. Police officials emphasise that the operation is preventive and not linked to any specific threat, but advise travellers to factor in possible ID checks and longer transfer times. For corporate mobility managers the message is two-fold: expect visible policing that may reassure employees but also prepare them for spot checks that could delay tight connections. Expatriates and business visitors should carry valid passports or national ID cards even on domestic segments, as police are authorised to verify identity within 30 km of any border or transport node. Employers operating commuter shuttles or organising group travel should brief staff on cooperation protocols to avoid missed trains. Rail operators, meanwhile, have committed to real-time crowd-management updates through their passenger-information apps. They are coordinating with police to redirect passenger flows away from inspection zones during peak hours, minimising the risk of platform congestion. The operation’s outcomes will feed into a nationwide security assessment ahead of the December timetable change, when winter tourism traditionally pushes passenger volumes higher.
Source: Bundespolizeipräsidium
