New figures from the Interior Ministry show that the number of crimes committed in Germany rose by 11,5 percent in 2022. Although the number has also risen 3,5 percent compared to 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic began, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the trend as a “catch-up effect.”

5,5 million crimes committed in Germany in 2022

In total, 5.628.584 criminal offences were recorded across Germany in 2022, 11,5 percent more than in 2021 and 3,5 percent more than in 2019. Increases were registered across all types of criminal activity. 

According to Faeser, however, it is not surprising that the number of offences has increased since coronavirus restrictions were lifted. “A normal everyday life, in which people are free to move around, also brings with it more opportunities for criminals to commit crimes,” she said in a statement. “We see that in the case of robberies or bodily harm.” 

Indeed, the figures show especially significant increases in these kinds of opportunistic crime: the number of thefts went up 20 percent in 2022, robberies were up 27 percent, and serious bodily harm offences went up 18 percent. Cases of pickpocketing and shoplifting also rose significantly. 

Number of sexual abuse and assault cases continues to rise

Other trends were, however, more long-standing: 2022 saw a further increase in the number of cases related to the distribution of child pornography. The number of cases of rape, sexual coercion and sexual assault also rose, while the number of attacks on people working for the police and emergency services rose by approximately 28 percent. 

Faeser said that the rising number of cases of sexualised violence against children and young people was especially “appalling” and added, “We are doing everything we can to identify the perpetrators and their networks and to protect children. This is the highest priority.” 

Faeser also suggested that the figures could be taken as an indication that people are becoming increasingly willing to report crime, and not necessarily that there was an overall increase in criminal activity. She said this was especially the case when it came to things like sexual harassment or assault, in the wake of the #MeToo movement. 

The number of child abuse cases in Germany has also risen steadily since the federal republic started to work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the US, an organisation that collects information about potential abuse via the internet and passes it on to other police forces.