Decline in Crime at Hamburg Central Station, Despite Concerns
The number of crimes recorded by the Federal Police at Hamburg Central Station dropped significantly in the past year, according to data released by the German government in response to an inquiry by the AfD party in the Bundestag. In 2024, 3,680 offenses were reported, compared to 4,153 in the previous year, marking a reduction of over 11%.
Violent Crimes Down, Knife Attacks Up
Violent crimes at Germany’s busiest railway station declined notably, bucking the trend observed in the city as a whole. The number of violent incidents at the station fell by almost a quarter (24.2%), from 720 in 2023 to 546 in 2024. However, the number of violent attacks involving knives nearly doubled, from 12 to 23.
In contrast, violent crime in Hamburg as a whole increased by 7.2% last year, according to data from the city’s interior ministry. Violent crime includes murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, and rape.
Other Crime Categories
Drug-related offenses also saw a sharp decline, dropping by more than 60% from 277 to 109 cases. Conversely, sexual crimes witnessed a significant increase, with the number of reported incidents rising by 75% from 20 in 2023 to 35 in 2024.
Political Reactions
Dirk Nockemann, leader of the AfD’s parliamentary group in Hamburg, characterized the crime statistics at the central station as "still alarming" despite the overall decrease. He highlighted the rising number of sexual offenses and knife attacks. "The central station should be a showcase for Germany’s second-largest city, but it has become the eyesore of Hamburg," said Nockemann.
Martin Hess, deputy spokesman for domestic affairs in the AfD’s Bundestag faction, demanded a "radical change of course" in migration policy, citing the high number of non-German perpetrators. "We urgently need a policy of reason to improve the security situation, not only at railway stations and on trains," he said.
Analysis
The decline in overall crime at Hamburg Central Station is a positive development, reflecting efforts to enhance security at the station. However, the increase in certain categories of crimes, such as sexual offenses and knife attacks, raises concerns about the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement and the need for further measures to address these issues.
The high number of non-German perpetrators also underscores the complex relationship between immigration and crime, necessitating a nuanced and evidence-based approach to policymaking.
