During the night of 1 November 2026, in Hanover a patrol car was sprayed with the contents of a fire extinguisher. According to the Hannover Police Directorate , the incident happened on Saturday evening while a group of people was being checked. Unknown individuals reportedly took the opportunity to cover the patrol car with extinguishing agent. An investigation into criminal damage is under way, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
According to police, incidents were spread across several districts. The authority named, among others, Sahlkamp, Ricklingen, Misburg and Ahlemhave been particularly badly affected. In the city centre . The affected patrol car is undergoing a technical inspection; specialists are also collecting evidence from the vehicle. No specific information about suspects is available so far.
Hanover Police Directorate had increased its presence across the city for Halloween to prevent confrontations and offences. Nevertheless, officers recorded several incidents. According to the authorities, these included criminal damage, objects being thrown, and a number of arrests and items being seized. The situation cannot currently be described as a coordinated, large-scale disturbance; instead, officers are observing scattered individual incidents.
The city and police describe the situation as typical of a busy Halloween night for emergency services. In previous years, there have repeatedly been incidents of criminal damage, pyrotechnics being thrown and disruption in public spaces. Against this backdrop, the authorities are relying on frequent patrols, targeted checks and close coordination between control rooms. The aim is to identify and prevent possible escalation at an early stage.
Police initially gave no information about the cost of the damage to the patrol car. No injuries had been reported by Sunday morning. Investigators are reviewing video and photographic material and checking whether the incidents can be attributed to individual groups or are unrelated. Anyone who witnessed anything or has recordings should contact Hanover Police Directorate.
The authorities’ account is to be clarified once their assessments are complete. Until then, the attack on the patrol car documented on Halloween night is considered the most notable case. Police will base any further decisions on preventive measures on the results of the investigation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).