The number of crimes increased significantly last year – especially among migrants. Interior Minister Faeser cites the reasons in the daily topics high immigration rates – and problems with integration.
According to Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, foreign criminals must be deported more quickly. At the same time, better integration of migrants is particularly necessary in order to prevent crimes, said the SPD politician daily topics-Interview.
“If you don’t follow the rules, you have to leave,” said Faeser. This particularly applies to those who applied for asylum in Germany and then committed crimes. That’s why the coalition passed a large legislative package that will also make deportations easier in the future. Overall, the regulations for migration have been tightened more than they have been in 25 years, explained Faeser.
Last year, the police in Germany registered more crimes than at any time since 2016. In 2023, around 5.94 million crimes were statistically recorded nationwide. According to the police crime statistics (PKS), that is 5.5 percent more than in the previous year. At 17.8 percent, there was a particularly strong increase in non-German suspects.
“No tolerance for crime”
The reason for the increase in crimes by foreigners is increased immigration, said Faeser in the daily topics. After 2015 and 2016, crimes fell massively, even though there were many immigrants in Germany – the reason back then was better integration.
“It’s working worse at the moment and that’s why the numbers are going up,” said Faeser. Germany now has so many immigrants again that integration is reaching its limits. But there is “no tolerance, no justification for crimes – ever.” At the same time, Faeser warned that it was now important not to stir up resentment against individual groups of people.
According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the reason for the increase in crimes among foreigners is the overall high immigration rates. As a result, the overall population and the proportion of non-Germans are increasing. Risk factors also included living conditions in initial reception centers, economic insecurity and experiences of violence.
Effects of the pandemic and inflation
The criminologists also see reasons for the increase in violent crime in Germany in two other factors: the aftereffects of the corona pandemic and high inflation.
The past year and a half have been difficult years, said Faeser. The economic situation was no longer easy for many people – which is also why the number of crimes increased. “That’s why politics can counteract this with good social work,” said the minister. “Good social policy, good education policy, good integration policy also ensures that we get fewer criminals.”
“It’s all about prevention”
2023 was the first year without pandemic-related restrictions. According to the experts, increased mobility led to more reasons and opportunities for crime. They suspect catch-up effects, especially among young people – that crimes are committed later because of a lack of opportunity. Many people did not cope psychologically well with being temporarily excluded from school and having no social contacts, said Faeser daily topics: “Prevention is particularly important for very young offenders.” Anti-violence training must begin in daycare centers and schools.
The PKS is collected annually nationwide based on the data transmitted by the 16 state criminal investigation offices. It merely reflects the recorded acts. The size of the dark field is not known.