US embassy issues travel warning for Hamburg
 

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but nevertheless found this to be interesting. Overblown?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25651806

Its just a 'be careful' notification:

http://germany.usembassy.gov/hamburg-restricted-zone/

Overblown, as usual.

Perhaps, but have US citizens reported to US authorities about being hassled for ID during this crackdown? If the reports of such are numerous, then take it in for what it's worth or discard concern about it as you deem fit.

I usually find the foreign.external affairs/state department-/ministry-type warnings to be poor guides for myself but still an interesting read from time to time.

We have to refer to https://members.medexassist.com/Default.aspx to see what risk is at the destination so if something happens we are or aren't covered by insurance. Such alerts do end up in risk assessments. Tour operators also have to offer cancellation free of charge is a foreign office downgrades the current situation at a destination. Thomas Cook suffered big time when Egypt was downgraded that way, even though place like SSH were open as before.

US embassy issues travel warning for Hamburg
 

Totally overblown. I'm in HAM every other week and never notice this, despite crossing the city to my hotel. I do think the police should crack skulls a little harder in this case.

Being asked for ID is considered a danger?

The State of Emergency (or whatever it was) was in fact lifted a couple of weeks ago. I was in Northern Germany when they announced it on the news.

Aren't you meant to always have ID on you in Germany?

You're supposed to... but the police don't normally stop pedestrians* in the street randomly to check their ID, which is what I understand was happening in parts of Hamburg a couple of weeks ago.

(*Cars sometimes get stopped for random checks, especially late on Friday/Saturday nights... but although they will ask to see your ID, driving licence and car registration document the real purpose of these late-night Verkehrskontrollen is to look for people who may be over the limit. Happened to me last year... they just checked my documents and sent me on my way, no breathalysing)

No. There is no Obligation under the law. Alsomost Germany carry their ID always with them.

Yep, I stand corrected.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitf%C3%BChrpflicht

You have to have one, but you don't have to have it on you at all times, with some exceptions - for example, when carrying a (legal) weapon and whilst at work in specific industries (hospitality and construction are mentioned).

I believe,though, that if you don't have it on you and the police want to see it they can insist on accompanying you home. ("Didn't have to pay for a taxi home from the disco last night. Police gave me a lift")

Non Germans have to carry ID though. ;)

It's considered a hassle to a danger, even when legally required to "have it".