© dpa
In view of numerous firecrackers already being ignited in the capital, the Berlin police are reminding people that lighting pyrotechnics is only permitted on New Year's Eve.
Police officers are taking action against the premature lighting of pyrotechnics, police spokeswoman Anja Dierschke told RBB-Inforadio on Friday. "Especially when it comes to gatherings of people who then massively use pyrotechnics already in advance," Dierschke said.
Fireworks have been on sale in Germany since Thursday. Since then, loud firecrackers have been heard in many parts of Berlin, and fireworks have also lit up the sky in many places. However, pyrotechnics may only be set off between 6 p.m. on December 31 and 6 a.m. on January 1.
Berlin police are expecting a pre-pandemic situation in the capital on New Year's Eve and have 1100 additional police officers on duty. Firefighters and aid organizations announced that they would be on duty with more than 1400 people.