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Alcoholic man (symbolic image): This image at Hamburg Central Station should be a thing of the past
Photo: Daniel Reinhardt/dpa
Drinking alcohol will in future be partially prohibited at Hamburg Central Station. The Senate announced a regulation according to which alcoholic drinks may neither be carried nor consumed on Heidi-Kabelplatz and Hachmannplatz. The ban also applies to a narrow strip on the south side of the building on Steintordamm. On the west and north sides, i.e. the area facing the city, alcohol can still be drunk, as Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) explained.
Deutsche Bahn joined the measure and banned consumption in the train station itself. So far, a ban only applied on certain tracks. The catering industry in the station building is exempt from the new regulations. You are still allowed to transport your purchase of beer or wine by train. Only cans or bottles for immediate consumption are not allowed to be taken, said Grote.
Meeting place for drinkers and homeless people
The senator justified the ban with the observation that a significant proportion of crimes at the main station are committed under the influence of alcohol. Following the establishment of the security alliance between the state and federal police as well as the Hochbahnwache and DB Security a year ago, the alcohol ban is a further step towards improving security and order. The main station is frequented by more than 500,000 travelers every day, but is also a meeting place for drinkers and homeless people. Not far from the train station is the drug facility Drob Inn, where hard drugs are consumed legally.
At the end of February, the citizens decided to change the security and order law. This created the legal basis to ban drinking in certain public areas. In addition to the alcohol ban, the Senate also wants to increase support services for alcoholics and drug addicts.
has/dpa