After several incidents, Schleswig-Holstein strengthens protection of critical infrastructure

Schleswig-Holstein is increasing police protection around critical infrastructure after sabotage and attack attempts in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. The state police has stepped up patrols at sensitive locations and contacted their operators.

Interior Minister Magdalena Finke said authorities were conducting an intensive review of the surroundings of critical infrastructure for unusual activity. She said there were currently no specific indications of a threat, but police stations across the state had received early guidance on signs typically associated with espionage and sabotage.

Every incident involving critical infrastructure will be examined and coordinated with the domestic intelligence service when necessary, Finke said.

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In the future, we will decentralize our capabilities even further.

The measures follow several incidents elsewhere in Germany. In early August, authorities found a drone equipped with explosives and a detonator on a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport. A suspected second aircraft collided with a cargo plane, which later landed in Hanover with minor damage. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating, and the German government has blamed Russia for the attack.

In early September, explosive devices and pyrotechnics were found at a substation near the Jänschwalde power plant in Brandenburg. Investigators are also examining a case at a substation in Bergheim near Cologne, where launch devices and pyrotechnics were discovered. They suspect constitutionally hostile sabotage.

Schleswig-Holstein has created more than 50 new positions for its drone-defense unit and related investigations. It will also invest 7 million euros in technology designed to detect, verify and, if necessary, counter drones. Finke said the state would decentralize those capabilities and position them closer to critical-infrastructure sites so officers could respond more quickly and flexibly. Operators will also be more closely involved and trained to identify drones early and respond appropriately.

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There is an intensive review of the surroundings of these critical infrastructures for unusual activity.