German police scrap much-criticized 'danger zone' in Hamburg imposed following violent protest

BERLIN – Hamburg police have scrapped a much-criticized "danger zone" that gave officers powers to stop and search people over a wide area of Germany's second-biggest city.

Monday's decision to get rid of the zone came a month after protests against the eviction of a left-wing cultural center left dozens of officers injured in clashes.

Three officers were injured in another incident a week later.

In response, police on Jan. 4 declared the large area including the Reeperbahn, the traditional center of Hamburg's red-light district, a "danger zone."

The move prompted the U.S. Embassy to issue a security message to Americans and was viewed by many locals as disproportionate.

Police reduced the zone last week and say they are now scrapping it because there have been no more attacks on officers.