Errors in Brandenburg's Crime Report Spark Nationwide Discussion

A miscalculation in Brandenburg's crime statistics raises questions about data accuracy and fuels political criticism.

Brandenburg's Interior Ministry retracted part of its 2024 crime report due to a miscalculation in the 'Tatverdächtigenbelastungszahl' (suspect load number).
The error, attributed to the Landeskriminalamt, involved the incorrect application of a new nationwide formula for calculating crime statistics.
The miscalculation has drawn criticism from political parties, with the Greens accusing the Interior Minister of prioritizing headlines over accurate analysis.
Across Germany, crime statistics reveal mixed trends: overall crime has decreased in some areas, but violent crimes, including knife-related offenses, continue to rise.
Discussions on the overrepresentation of non-German suspects in certain crime categories have reignited debates on integration, socio-economic factors, and data interpretation.