Insight - Cologne attacks show Germany unprepared for migration challenge

A bird flies next to the two towers of the famous landmark and UNESCO world heritage, the Cologne Cathedral, Germany January 25, 2016. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - The crowds of drunk young men had been gathering for hours outside the main railway station in Cologne on New Year's Eve when city police finally told the office that coordinates forces for the region that they wanted to clear the square.

The police coordinating office says it offered to send reinforcements. A report from the city police says the officer in charge decided there was no point asking for help because reinforcements would arrive too late.