Germany's Violent Crime Hits Record High in 2024, Despite Overall Decline in Crime

New data reveals a 1.5% rise in violent crimes, driven by increases in sexual offenses, knife-related incidents, and youth involvement, while overall crime dropped by 1.7%.

The 2024 Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik recorded 217,300 violent crimes, marking a 1.5% increase from 2023 and the highest level since 2010.
Sexual offenses rose by 9.3%, with 13,320 cases reported, reflecting heightened awareness and reporting, possibly influenced by societal movements like #MeToo.
Knife-related crimes surged, with 29,014 cases recorded, including 15,741 incidents where knives were actively used or attempted.
Youth involvement in violent crimes increased significantly, with an 11.3% rise in child suspects and a 3.8% rise in juvenile suspects, linked to psychological stress and other risk factors.
Non-German suspects accounted for 39% of violent crime cases, a 7.5% increase, highlighting ongoing challenges related to migration, integration, and socio-economic disparities.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung

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