Already this year, a series of security incidents at Christmas markets have raised concern.

In November, a 17-year-old German-Turkish national was apprehended in the northern town of Elmshorn, Schleswig-Holstein, for planning a truck attack inspired by the 2016 Berlin market tragedy.

On December 1 in Schöneck, Saxony, the mayor and another individual were shot at with a Softair pistol.

Three days later, a 37-year-old Iraqi national was arrested in Augsburg, Bavaria, for allegedly scouting the Christkindlesmarkt, and sharing Islamic State propaganda.