The town of Heide is still terrorized by a youth gang. The perpetrators are between 12 and 18 years old. Now the first member is on trial. He is 15 years old.
In February 2023, the city of Heide (Schleswig-Holstein) was the focus of nationwide attention. A gang of girls tortured and humiliated a 13-year-old. They filmed their actions. All of Germany could watch. An outcry went through the country. Even then it became clear: the incident was not an isolated case in Heide.
In the past few months, Heide has been the focus again. As the “Bild” newspaper reports, a youth gang is still up to mischief there. It is said that there are always outbreaks of violence. There was a fight at the train station in February. Several young people were injured and robbed. As “Bild” wrote, two suspected perpetrators, aged 16 and 18, were subsequently held in custody. Just a few days later, one of the victims was threatened again. The boy then told his mother about the gang.
Now the “Bild” newspaper is reporting that the first member of the gang is facing trial. He is said to be a 15-year-old who was also arrested after the fight at the train station. He is said to have been present at the altercation a few days later. The trial against him is set to begin at the end of May. The charges include dangerous bodily harm and coercion. As senior public prosecutor Peter Müller-Rankow told the newspaper, other members are also facing trial.
While the public prosecutor’s office had already conducted several investigations against the 10-member youth gang, one of the members blatantly threatened further violence online. “Bild” reports that a photo was posted on Instagram showing a submachine gun and several other automatic weapons. Next to it it says: “Wait, I’ll fuck you all.” In another picture he posed with a knife.
According to NDR, the suspects in the attack at the train station belong to a group of young people who repeatedly attract attention with crimes. The station quotes a police spokeswoman: “They are all between the ages of 12 and 18.” One of the main perpetrators of two previous crimes is said to be just 12 years old.
The police themselves do not speak of a gang. However, it is said that each member of the group has committed at least five crimes in the past few weeks. There have also already been so-called danger speeches.
One of the victims of the train station brawl told “Bild”: “Something finally has to happen here. I’m scared.” He should now change schools. Several parents have apparently decided that their sons should no longer go to school for the time being.
The police registered the threatening messages and began examining their criminal relevance.
