Which types of crimes are on the rise in Germany?

There was mixed news in the latest batch of criminal statistics released by the Federal Office of Criminal Police (BKA) on Wednesday. 

According to BKA's stats for 2024, violent crime was up by 1.5 percent last year. German police recorded more than 217,000 acts of violence nationwide in 2024 - the highest number since 2007.

At the same time the number of total crimes was down slightly. Overall breaches fell by 1.7 percent to a total number of 5.83 million cases.

Sharp increase in sexual violence

In particular, police statistics reveal a steep rise in cases of sexual violence. The number of alleged rapes and sexual assaults increased by nine percent to 13,300 last year. 

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) said the increase in violence against women was worrying, and called for more effective prosecution and for the use of electronic ankle bracelets for sex offenders.

Considering the startling increase in sexual violence, former judge and journalist Ulf Buermeyer, told Deutschlandfunk that one reason behind the increase in reported rapes could be that willingness to report sexual crimes has increased.

Sexual violence in particular is known to be under-reported in Germany and around the world due in part to stigmatisation of the issue. Germany maintains a "violence against women" helpline on 116 016 that offers counselling and support.

Knife and gun violence

Last year, statistics on knife crime were counted separately for the first time. 

Violent crimes involving knives were in the spotlight after a deadly attack in the city of Solingen in August.

Police statistics reveal that in 6.3 percent of the recorded acts of violence - including murder, manslaughter, rape and dangerous bodily injury - a knife was used or threatened.

KEY POINTS: How the German government wants to combat extremism and knife crime

The number of cases in which firearms were involved also increased by six percent last year. A firearm was shot in a total 4,687 cases last year, marking an increase of 1.9 percent.

How are crime rates changing?

It's important to note the distinction between crimes committed versus police statistics: statistics reflect the number of crimes that were reported to police, as opposed to the number of crimes overall. 

Data published by Statista shows that the number of crimes reported in Germany has remained stable over the past few decades. According to Statista, around six million crimes have been recorded annually since 2000. The total number appeared to decrease from 2016 to 2021, and has since risen back toward levels comparable to those seen ten or so years ago.

The steepest increase in crimes was seen in the area of white-collar crime, according to BKA. These cases rose by more than 57 percent compared to the previous year to around 22,400.

A major factor in the decrease in overall crime was the legalisation of cannabis in April 2024. In the year prior to legalisation (2023), roughly two-thirds of all recorded drug offences were cannabis-related, according to federal police, amounting to more than 200,000 cases.

READ ALSO: One year on - What does the future hold for Germany's cannabis legalisation law?

How many crimes are committed by foreigners?

The number of German suspects investigated for violent crimes rose slightly last year (0.7 percent), but authorities registered a much steeper increase of non-German suspects (7.5 percent).

But the criminal police office also points out that the proportion of foreigners in the population also increased over the course of the year, which would have had a corresponding impact on statistics. 

Studies also show that people are more likely to report a crime if they suspect that the alleged perpetrator is a foreigner.

READ ALSO: Why experts say Germany’s rising crime rate is misleading

With reporting by DPA.