17 shops vandalised, 5 looted in Frankfurt violence after youth protest; 54 arrested

Large-scale violence broke out in the German city of Frankfurt after a youth protest. Rioters who mixed into the crowd of protesters vandalised and looted shops. Seventeen shops were damaged and goods were looted from five. Police were also attacked. The German government has said the culprits will be tracked down and severely punished.

Young people had held protests in several German cities. They demanded that the education system be improved, rising prices be brought under control and the cost of essentials be reduced. Thousands of young people took to the streets under a campaign called 'Gen Z regelt'.

The protest was initially peaceful in most places. But on Saturday night the situation worsened in central Frankfurt. Some rioters smashed shop windows, looted goods and threw stones at police. Petrol bombs were also reported to have been thrown at emergency service personnel.

Police had made heavy deployment arrangements to contain the violence. According to Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck, about 1,300 police personnel were deployed to handle the situation. More than 100 police officers were injured in the clashes.

In police action, 54 people aged between 13 and 29 were arrested. Police's initial estimate is that between 1,000 and 1,500 rioters may have been involved in the violence. Special teams, water cannon and a helicopter were also used to bring the situation under control.

Germany's Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed anger after the violence. He said clearly that those who vandalised and looted shops would be identified and held accountable. He said such violence should draw severe punishment.

Hesse Chief Minister Boris Rhein also condemned the incident. He warned that those who commit violence in the name of peaceful protest would not be spared. Meanwhile, the administration is considering how to help the affected shopkeepers in Frankfurt. The incident has brought the question of law and order in Germany back into focus.