Record crime surge in Germany sees rise in train station violence

In 2023, Germany recorded the highest number of crimes in over a decade, according to the latest report from the German Federal Police. It also noted the highest number of attacks on Federal Police officers since 2001.

In Germany, the individual states are responsible for prosecuting criminals and maintaining public order, while the Federal Police (Bundespolizei) protect the country's borders and ensure safety at train stations and airports. In 2023, the Federal Police recorded more crimes than ever since 2012, stated Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) during the presentation of the annual report. According to the published data, 790,245 crimes were registered. This is a 12.5 percent increase from the previous year (around 702,000).

Nearly half of the crimes in 2023 were crimes related to residency laws. This area saw the biggest increase (38 percent) compared to the previous year.

There was a significant rise in sexual crimes (by 14.9 percent), theft of bags and luggage (by 16.4 percent), and violent crimes (by 10.6 percent). On the other hand, the number of property damage crimes decreased (by 2.6 percent) and document falsification cases decreased (by 9.3 percent).

Federal Police are responsible for protecting land and sea borders, but they also secure train stations and facilities, as well as airports, and support state police forces. According to the presented statistics, over half of all crimes under federal police jurisdiction – about 425,000 – were committed in trains, at stations, or other railway facilities.

"As in previous years, major urban train stations are particularly affected by violent crimes," the report reads. "However, the most serious crimes are also increasingly being recorded in small towns or rural areas, as well as on trains."

In recent days, the newspaper "Bildzeitung" reported that knife-related crimes are particularly frequent at German train stations and on trains.

The Federal Police currently report fewer cases of illegal border crossings. So far in 2024, just over 53,000 illegal entries have been recorded, said Dieter Romann, president of the Federal Police, during the report presentation.

According to the data, there were nearly 128,000 in total throughout 2023. Romann and Faeser consider this reduction a success of border controls, which have long been in effect with Austria and, since 2023, also at the borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland. "This was the right step," commented Faeser.

In 2023, the highest number of attacks on Federal Police officers since 2001 was also recorded. A total of 2,979 officers were attacked on duty, of whom 792 were injured.

According to the Federal Police, the attacks almost always involved physical violence. Most of them occurred "during the daily performance of duties," mainly during patrols, criminal investigations, or deportation activities. Most of the assaults on officers were recorded on the railway. Attacks also took place during mass events and football matches.

Source: Deutsche Welle