14-year-old with one-hand knife: supermarket theft in Prenzlau!

14-year-old with one-hand knife: supermarket theft in Prenzlau!

On October 29th, two young people aged 14 and 16 were caught shoplifting in a supermarket on Seelübber Weg in Prenzlauer Berg. The two were after food, clothing and headphones and didn't seem to be thinking about paying for the goods. When the market employees noticed the incident, they chased the two thieves and were finally able to catch them. When searching the 14-year-old, the officers found a one-hand knife, which raised the charge from shoplifting to theft with a weapon, as nordkurier.de reports.

The two young people are already known to the police, which further complicates the situation. The incident highlights the rising problem of juvenile crime, which has seen a noticeable rise in recent years. The figures for youth violence in Germany are also cause for concern, reaching a peak of around 13,800 cases in 2024, more than twice as high as in 2016. Young people between the ages of 14 and 17 are particularly affected, and although they only make up a part of the total population, they make up a disproportionate share of the suspects, such as statista.com shows.

Background of juvenile crime

One possible explanation for the increase in youth crime is the psychological stress caused by the Corona measures. Young people in particular in difficult life situations, such as those seeking protection, often find the balance between psychological and social factors severely impaired. Despite a decline in young suspects for all crimes of around 6 percent in 2024, the situation remains tense, particularly with regard to the prevention of future crimes.

The statistics show that a significant proportion of young people who commit crimes are male: in 2024, almost three quarters of the young suspects in this group were boys. In addition, approximately 84 percent of those convicted under the age of 21 are men. These figures underline the need for preventive approaches that are specifically tailored to the needs of young people.

The role of prevention

This makes it all the more important to promote additional measures for prevention and early intervention in child and youth welfare. Instead of focusing solely on harsher sanctions, attention should be paid to the causes that drive young people into crime. Educators and social workers have a responsibility to counteract criminal behavior from the outset.

At a time when many social norms are changing, it is up to all of us to have a good hand when it comes to supporting young people and offering them prospects. The incident in the capital may not be unique, but it clearly shows that there is a need for action. A look at recent developments in youth crime and the measures that can be taken remains essential.