Knife attacks in Berlin: Alarming numbers – Who are the perpetrators?

Knife attacks in Berlin: Alarming numbers – Who are the perpetrators?

In recent months, knife crime in German cities has become a worrying issue. Violence is also flourishing in Berlin. According to a report by the Berliner Kurier, violent clashes occur every day, with knives increasingly being used. The parliamentary investigation recently requested by MP Thorsten Weiß (AfD) shows alarming figures. In just one period from February to April, 51 knife attacks were recorded, leaving 186 people slightly injured and 29 seriously injured. Tragically, there were even three deaths.

The distribution of attacks is particularly blatant. Most incidents were documented at Alexanderplatz, where 32 cases originated, followed by Tempelhofer Vorstadt with 22 and Wedding Zentrum, which recorded the same number of cases. The Berlin Senate has difficulty revealing the first names of the suspects, which leads to legal disputes. The State Constitutional Court found that MP Marc Vallendar's right to ask questions was violated, but the Senate stands by its decision in order to protect personal rights.

Knife attacks all over Germany

However, the worrying development is not limited to Berlin. As the media service Integration reports, Germany has recorded an overall increase in knife attacks. In particular, in 2023, reports of such acts in the category of “dangerous and serious physical injuries” increased by 9.7%. Robbery crimes also increased by 16.6%. Statistics show that 33-55% of suspects in federal states that record nationality are not German. This disproportionate occurrence of foreign suspects is linked to social factors such as poverty and education.

Another aspect is the increase in carrying knives, especially among young people. The proportion of young people in Lower Saxony who carried a knife rose from 16.8% in 2013 to 20.6% in 2022. Even if not sufficiently researched, fears and social norms among boys could play a role when it comes to carrying and possibly using such weapons.

Social impact

The increase in knife crime not only has direct consequences, but also has a significant impact on the population's sense of security. Although violent crimes make up less than 4% of all crimes recorded by the police in Germany, they are still in the public eye because they are associated with fear and uncertainty. The police have now managed to solve acts of violence in a good three quarters of the cases. In 2024, an increase in violent crime was recorded in Germany, revealing some of the problems that lie dormant in society.

It remains to be seen what measures the Senate in Berlin and the federal government will take to counteract this worrying development. Meanwhile, it is important to examine the causes of the increasing violence in order to find long-term solutions that target the social problems within society. Perhaps now is the time to increase dialogue about security and community.