Most Germans believe better protection against sabotage needed

An overwhelming majority of German citizens believes that the state needs to do more to protect critical infrastructure against potential sabotage, according to a survey commissioned by dpa.

Last week, the government backed plans for new legislation requiring operators of critical infrastructure, across sectors ranging from energy and transport to health and information technology, to implement measures protecting larger facilities against sabotage.

Under the plans, which still need to be approved by parliament, operators also need to report security-related incidents to the authorities.

Of the 2,057 people questioned by pollsters YouGov on behalf of dpa between September 12 and 15, only 5% said they didn't think it necessary to ramp up measures to protect critical infrastructure against sabotage.

By contrast, 47% of participants welcomed the plans.

Some 33% said it was right that companies operating in critical sectors should be responsible for taking protective steps.

It comes after Germany has seen what are believed to have been targeted attacks on its critical infrastructure in recent weeks.

Last week, tens of thousands of people were left without power in Berlin for days after two high-voltage power pylons went up in flames. A letter posted on a left-wing platform said the attack targeted a nearby science park home to a number of companies from the "military-industrial complex."

Elsewhere, a key railway line between Hanover and Berlin was disrupted over the weekend after a fire destroyed a signal box, with police suspecting arson.