As example, 2 years ago I was in Strasbourg for the winter markets and saw 2 things:
Roving squads of military and police armed with submachine guns and even battle rifles. (Some in blue police uniforms, some in camo)
I tried to get a photo from above everything and explored some stairwells. (I like urban exploration) I opened an upper floor office door and was startled by a room full of cops with binoculars and rifles leaning on the wall / resting on a table. They were not very happy with me and it took me about an hour of being a dumb tourist to disengage.
Checked my passport, called my hotel, checked my flights. agree, honest mistake it should have taken a few minutes. Also I doubt it was a full hour but man it felt like a lifetime.
Edit I don’t think I was actually detained but they spooked me into agreeing to hang around while they verified things
That’s not true,
As example, 2 years ago I was in Strasbourg for the winter markets and saw 2 things:
I saw similar on foot squads in Germany too.
An hour?? That’s crazy-- seems like their fault the room wasn’t secure, but they had to harass you for that long before letting you go?
Checked my passport, called my hotel, checked my flights. agree, honest mistake it should have taken a few minutes. Also I doubt it was a full hour but man it felt like a lifetime.
Edit I don’t think I was actually detained but they spooked me into agreeing to hang around while they verified things