Police union denounces safe women's zone Berlin

qberline - The German police federation DPolG is critical of the safety zone that is specially designed for women at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during the New Year's Eve. Chairman Rainer Wendt said on Saturday that the measure gives the impression that there are both safe and unsafe zones during the New Year's Festival in Berlin.

'Women must be safe everywhere,' says Wendt. He also said that setting up a safety zone for women is contrary to the principle that men and women should be treated equally.

The measure is a reaction to the hundreds of assaults at the turn of the year two years ago in Cologne. The safety zone is manned by employees of the Red Cross. There are among others psychologists in the tents to catch women who have been harassed.

The organizers of the big party where DJs and bands perform have set up the zone at the request of the police.