After the attack last year on the Christmas market at the memorial church in Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz, which left several dead, the market management, city security services and the police are in close contact to make the thousands of visitors feel as safe as possible. The attacker, Anis Amri, motivated by Islamism, drove an articulated lorry into a crowd.

There is no specific danger here. According to Borchert, barriers will be put up at a total of three locations on the Bonn Christmas Market – on Martinsplatz close to the cathedral, at Mülheimer Platz in front of the Haus der Bildung and on Friedensplatz, where it extends into Sternstraße. The city and security officials are still finalising the details of how the barriers in the security plans will look.

Borchert said: “Security is a dynamic process.” They will probably be vehicles positioned sideways, as were used in Bonn as an initial reaction to the Berlin attack. “But concrete pillars are also being discussed,” said Borchert. However, it must be ensured that deliveries can still be made to the Christmas market and businesses. Günter Dick, head of the citizens’ service, said the city was considering in general whether to install fixed concrete posts at the edge of the city centre. A corresponding submission was being worked on for local politicians.

The police will set up their mobile contact point on the Münsterplatz next to the cathedral. Spokesman Michael Beyer said: “We will have a strong presence in place – uniformed and plain clothes.” The Ordnungsdienst is stationed at the corner of Vivatsgasse and Sternstraße. There will be 185 sales stands between Münsterplatz and Friedensplatz as well as on Poststraße. Almost a third are food stalls and the rest will offer Christmas goods and craftworks. Children can be looked after in the “Aktionshaus” from Monday to Friday from 4-7pm and at weekends from 1-9pm.

(Original text: Philipp Königs / Translated by Kate Carey)