Annual assessment of the Collaborative Police Unit "Train Station Center," jointly managed by the Federal Police Headquarters and the Police Directorate of Leipzig, in the year 2023
In the heart of Central Germany, Leipzig has seen a rise in crime rates, particularly in its city centre, known as Zentrum.
Last year, a total of 353 drug-related offenses were registered in the district of Zentrum, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year. The majority of the seized drugs were marijuana, hashish, crystal, heroin, and ecstasy, amounting to around 2.0 kg.
Shoplifting cases also saw a significant increase, with 1,367 cases registered in 2023, representing a 74 percent increase with 582 cases compared to the previous year.
Leipzig Central Station, Europe's largest marshalling yard with over 80,000 m2, is frequented daily by around 135,000 travelers and visitors. The Joint Deployment Group "Station-Center" (JDG BaZe) has been instrumental in maintaining public safety and order at the station, controlling over 5,100 people, searching over 2,500, and issuing over 250 dispersal orders in 2023.
However, the city is not just a hotspot for drug crime and shoplifting. Violent crimes have also been on the rise, with the Federal Police recording 922 cases at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. Hotspots for violent crimes include the exits of the main station, Mayor Müller Park, Kleine Willy-Brandt-Platz, and Swan Pond.
On April 26, 2023, a joint shoplifting incident was observed in a clothing store in the Höfe am Brühl, leading to the apprehension of two suspects, both of Libyan origin. On the evening of June 2, 2023, a robbery occurred in the district of Zentrum-Ost, involving a suspect brandishing a sharp object. The suspect, a 23-year-old Tunisian, was located with the help of the Federal Police and resisted during the subsequent search, testing positive for cocaine.
Cannabinoids were the most frequently detected substances in drug-related offenses in 2023. The JDG BaZe is responsible for addressing the different responsibilities of federal and state police in Leipzig, with police officers from Leipzig-Zentrum Police Station and the Federal Police Inspection Leipzig working together.
For 2024, a decrease in drug-related offenses is expected due to the introduction of the Cannabis Consumption Act on April 1st. However, illegal sales points or street trading remain prohibited and will continue to be prosecuted. The Public Prosecutor's Office has applied for a warrant of arrest from the investigating judge for the suspect on suspicion of robbery.
The city of Leipzig has a central location in Central Germany with an extensive network of tracks and fast connections for local and long-distance traffic. Despite the rising crime rates, the city continues to attract a large number of visitors and travellers daily. The JDG BaZe and local police forces remain vigilant in their efforts to maintain public safety and order.
