Pyrotechnics and Home-Made Explosives Seized in Neukölln Ahead of Halloween

Officers from the State Criminal Office (LKA) and the specialist riot unit 'Silvester 2026' executed a court-ordered search of an apartment in the Peter-Anders-Straße in Berlin-Neukölln on 30 October 2026, amid concerns about illegal fireworks and explosives ahead of Halloween and the New Year season. A 24-year-old resident was temporarily detained around 11:00. The search recovered pyrotechnic devices and so-called 'Selbstlaborate' (home-made explosive devices), with a total net explosive mass of approximately six kilograms, as well as three mobile phones, a knuckleduster and a knife with a knuckleduster grip. All items were confiscated and sent to the LKA forensic institute for analysis. The operation is being jointly investigated by the Berlin State Prosecutor's Office. The specialist 'Silvester 2026' unit was established to enforce explosives laws during the Halloween and New Year period following previous years' incidents in Neukölln involving illegal fireworks. Police confirmed that the Halloween protests on 31 October were expected to see increased pyrotechnic use after dark.