Germany Reports Fewer Illegal Border Crossings Since Controls

berlin - German police have counted 13 percent fewer illegal border crossings in the first weeks since the introduction of permanent border controls. Some borders have been subject to random checks for a while, but since September 16, controls have been in place at all neighboring countries.

Germany refers to unauthorized entry when people do not have the proper paperwork. Those not planning to enter the country or who are banned from entering Germany can be turned away at the border. From August 26 to September 15, a total of 3984 such unauthorized entries were recorded, with 2353 people being turned away. From September 16 to October 6, there were 3464 attempted entries, of which 2073 were refused.

Germany has been monitoring its border with Austria since 2015. Controls have been in place at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland for almost a year. Since mid-September, checks have also been taking place at the borders with the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, and Luxembourg. The number of illegal border crossings counted at the Benelux borders has increased since then.