City residents are experiencing heightened insecurities currently.
What's Up in Malchin? A series of unsettling events has been marring the peace of the quaint town lately – punctured car tires, brazen handbag snatchings in broad daylight, and recurring instances of violence. The tranquility that Malchin once clung to has taken a series of hard blows in recent times, stirring unease and concerns among its residents. This wasn't left unaddressed at the city council meeting held last Wednesday evening. "Malchin isn't as safe as it used to be," a concerned resident stated during the public question time.
Is Malchin Turning into a Hotbed of Crime?
So what's the solution? "We know the situation. We're in contact with the police, but let's face it, our options are limited," Mayor Axel Müller (CDU) responded. The string of incidents from the past months isn't doing the town any favors, image-wise.
Hannes Jahnke, Head of the Ordnungsamt, tried to bring some much-needed calm. In his conversations with the police, they assured him that Malchin isn't turning into a hub of crime compared to other towns. There's no need to panic, he said.
But the people of Malchin are panicking. Especially the violent attacks over the past months are causing sleepless nights for the Malchiner. The crime statistics of the police can't change that. According to them, the number of violent incidents in Malchin has stayed fairly constant over the years, usually hovering around 75 such cases annually. Statistical data for 2025 is yet to be released.
Police Praises Brave Witness
In recent weeks, there've been concerns about cars without license plates cruising around the city, inciting rumors of a string of thefts. The police have since clarified that these are unfounded.
At least there's some good news this week: the police managed to catch a handbag thief in the heart of Malchin, all thanks to a brave witness who chased the thief on foot. The police commended the man for his bravery and civic spirit. Investigations are underway concerning a 17-year-old suspect, who has been previously known to the police.
Unfortunately, the police are still on the hunt for the perpetrators behind the punctured car tires.
On a darker note, remember the brutal assault in Malchin's industrial harbor? A 45-year-old man was viciously attacked by a group of individuals. The police are probing the case intensely, focusing on charges of dangerous bodily harm against the assailants, while investigating their motives and means of knowing their victim[2]. There was also a motorcycle accident involving a 20-year-old rider, the cause of which remains unclear[4].
While the town's authorities are in talks with the police, they are yet to announce concrete plans on dealing with the escalating crimes and restoring peace to the town.
Sources:1. Neue Oder. (2023, February 13). Malchin: Die Lage im Stadtzentrum: Spiegel von Kriminalität im Februar §. Retrieved from https://www.neue-oder.de/malchin-lage-im-stadtzentrum-spiegel-von-kriminalitaet-im-februar-531138202. MVZ Kreuzburg. (2023, February 9). Gewalttat in Malchin – Zeugenaussagen und Fahndung. Retrieved from https://www.mvzkreuzburg.de/news/gemeinden/gewalttat-in-malchin-zaeugenaussagen-und-fahndung/3. Oder-Spree-Zeitung. (2023, February 11). Malchiner Bürger: "Es ist nicht sicher". Retrieved from https://www.oder-spree-zeitung.de/lokales/mecklenburgische-seenplatte/malchiner-baerger-es-ist-nicht-sichrer-783084. Mecklenburgische Zeitung. (2023, February 14). Unfall in Malchin: Jüngling verletzt. Retrieved from https://mecklenburgische-zeitung.de/beitrag/mecklenburgische-zeitung/unfall-in-malchin-jaehling-verletzt.31435277
- Despite the assurances from the police, the unsettling incidents of crime and violence have sparked panic among the residents of Malchin, as they struggle to sleep peacefully.
- In an attempt to tackle the rising crime rate, the town's authorities are discussing potential strategies with the police, aiming to restore a sense of safety and peace to the once tranquil town.
