Harburg: Fire, thefts and drug-impaired driving overview

In a comprehensive press release, the Harburg police inspectorate reports on a series of operations that took place between Friday noon and Sunday noon in the Harburg district. The range of incidents extends from a serious residential house fire to traffic offences under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as thefts from vehicles and violations of the Sunday driving ban. The report paints a detailed picture of police work in Buchholz, Jesteburg, Winsen (Luhe), Seevetal and other localities in the region. Buchholz: Roof fire at a single-family home On Saturday afternoon, a fire broke out in the attic of a single-family home in the Buchholz street Reiherstieg. At around 2:55 p.m., residents and neighbours noticed smoke and flames and alerted the emergency services. The fire brigade responded with a larger contingent, while police and rescue services secured the area. All occupants were able to leave the building in time and remained unharmed. Despite the rapid intervention of the fire brigade, the roof of the house was completely destroyed by the flames. Police estimate the resulting damage at around 150,000 to 200,000 euros. During the firefighting operations, adjacent streets had to be closed and the power supply in the affected area was temporarily interrupted. The cause of the fire is currently still unclear; fire investigators from the police have taken up the investigation. Jesteburg: Driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence On Saturday morning, officers were also deployed to Jesteburg for a traffic control, during which a 30-year-old driver attracted attention. In the course of the check, there were clear indications that the man had driven under the influence of alcoholic beverages. It also emerged that he does not hold a valid driving licence. The 30-year-old refused to take a voluntary breath alcohol test. The police therefore ordered a blood sample, which was taken by a doctor. Appropriate criminal proceedings were initiated against the man. In addition to drunk driving, he must also answer for driving without a licence. Winsen (Luhe) / Sangenstedt: Drunk in a van In the night from Saturday to Sunday, a patrol of the Rottorf police noticed a van that was checked in the Sangenstedt area. The 32-year-old driver showed signs of alcohol consumption during the control. A breath alcohol test carried out on the spot resulted in a value of 1.27 per mille, clearly confirming the suspicion of drunk driving. Here too, a blood sample was ordered and taken by a doctor. The man’s driving licence was seized, and further investigations into drunk driving are underway. The police once again emphasise that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a considerable risk to all road users. Seevetal – Beckedorf: Arrest after thefts from vehicles Another incident occurred in the night from Friday to Saturday in Seevetal-Beckedorf. In Beckedorfer Straße, several parked cars and a motorhome became the target of an offender who entered properties and checked whether vehicles had been properly locked. Where this was not the case, he gained access to the interior and stole cash and other valuables. During one of the offences, the man was observed and the police were notified. Responding officers were able to locate the 31-year-old suspect near the scene and provisionally arrest him. Investigations into the individual cases, the exact amount of stolen goods and possible further victims are ongoing. Motorway: Violations of the Sunday driving ban On the motorways within the jurisdiction of the Maschen motorway police, officers recorded a total of four violations of the Sunday driving ban during the night from Saturday to Sunday. In the inspected cases, articulated lorries were carrying mostly non-perishable cargo, although no exemption had been granted. In all instances, the police prohibited the drivers from continuing their journeys until 10 p.m., the end of the Sunday driving ban. In addition to substantial fines, the responsible parties may face further consequences in the commercial freight sector. Seevetal / Beckedorf: No licence, under the influence of drugs and with stolen number plates A particularly serious case is also occupying the police in the Beckedorf area. At midday on Saturday, officers stopped a Peugeot on which stolen number plates from Oldesloe had been mounted. As soon as the vehicle was opened, officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis. Subsequent checks led to the suspicion that the 22-year-old driver was under the influence of narcotic drugs. It also emerged that he does not hold a valid driving licence. The young man was taken to a hospital for a blood sample so that the influence of drugs could be documented in a medically and legally reliable manner. In addition to suspected driving under the influence of drugs and driving without a licence, he is also being investigated on suspicion of document falsification in connection with the stolen plates. Police take stock of a busy weekend The Harburg police inspectorate thus looks back on a busy weekend during which classic hazard situations such as fires, property offences and traffic violations coincided. The cases from Jesteburg, Winsen (Luhe) and Beckedorf illustrate that the consumption of alcohol and drugs in road traffic continues to represent a serious safety risk. The officers announce that they will continue to pursue consistent controls against traffic offences and drug-related crime in order to safeguard the security of all road users in the Harburg district.