Overview
- The city confirmed more than 40 attempted break‑ins at public schools since the start of the year, with reporting on Thursday naming Lokstedt and Bergedorf as recurring hotspots.
- Authorities have deployed private Wachdienst patrols, plainclothes police during holidays, intrusion alarm systems, extra construction fencing and plans to accelerate some demolitions at vacant school sites.
- Incidents have included theft, smashed doors and windows, water damage and unusable kitchens and mensas, and at least one case involved arson.
- Officials say cameras and private guards cannot cover every site because of legal and practical limits and fewer live‑in caretakers, so they are urging neighbours, passersby and school communities to watch for and report suspicious activity.
- Schulbau Hamburg, the finance authority and Polizei Hamburg say they are coordinating measures to protect the city’s multi‑million‑euro school investment and will adjust protections as the security picture evolves.