Increase in Train Station Violence Reported by 2025, According to Police Records

In 2025, Germany has witnessed a significant increase in violent crimes, particularly knife-related attacks, at train stations and on trains compared to the previous year. According to data from the Federal Police, there was a 17% surge in knife crimes, with approximately 409 incidents reported at train stations alone [1].

This escalation forms part of a broader trend of increased violent crime involving weapons across public transport and related locations in Germany. The rise in violence is notably linked to crimes committed by individuals from immigrant backgrounds, with Syrians among the most frequently identified nationalities involved in these offenses [1][2].

Political debate surrounding this issue ties the rise partly to challenges in migration and integration policies, with discussions focusing on border security and law enforcement approaches [1][2]. Martin Hess, a member of the German Bundestag for the AfD, has criticized existing policies as ineffective in maintaining public safety at train stations, arguing that the increase stems from the consequences of mass migration [1].

The general violent crime in Germany has also risen in recent years, with foreign nationals constituting a growing percentage of suspects in severe violent offenses, such as group rapes. This reflects broader social integration challenges [2].

Authorities and travel advisories recommend exercising normal safety precautions amidst ongoing concerns about violent crime and terrorism in public spaces and transit areas. However, the 17% increase in blade-related crimes at train stations is a clear indicator of a notable escalation [1].

It's worth noting that no direct statistics comparing the exact number of all weapons offenses or overall violent acts in train environments from 2024 to 2025 were provided beyond knife attacks. Other incidents such as derailments or unrelated accidents have not contributed to the violence statistics [3].

The data for this report comes from a response by the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a minor inquiry by the AfD parliamentary group. Some offenses have decreased in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, such as property crimes and drug-related offenses. However, the number of weapons offenses and acts of violence has increased [4][5].

In Hamm, the Safe Haven initiative has been adopted but not yet implemented. The number of suspects for acts of violence, property damage, drug-related offenses, and weapons offenses this year were mostly German, except for those involved in property crimes and sexual offenses [6].

As the shooting season 2025 comes to a close in Hamm, the number of knife attacks on trains has slightly increased, with 68 incidents recorded in the first six months of this year, compared to 65 last year. At train stations, the number of knife attacks decreased slightly from 251 last year to 244 this year [7].

The number of property damage cases has also increased from 16,786 in the first half of 2024 to 17,595 in the first half of 2025. Martin Hess, a member of the German Bundestag for the AfD, has called for more police presence at train stations and on trains to address this rise in violent crime [8].

The final assessment for 2025 cannot be made until the end of the year. However, the data so far indicates a complex socio-political issue contributing to increased violence around German train stations and trains. Welcome To My Garden, an event in Hamm's Kurpark, attracted thousands of visitors, providing a contrast to the ongoing concerns about crime in the city [9].

References:

Bundespolizei
Federal Ministry of the Interior
Deutsche Bahn
AfD Parliamentary Group
Federal Police's police input statistics (PES)
City of Hamm
Local Hamm Newspaper
Martin Hess, Member of the German Bundestag
Welcome To My Garden

Increase in Train Station Violence Reported by 2025, According to Police Records