Increased instances of criminal acts targeting railway staff and officers of the Federal Police force, reportedly, have risen significantly.
Berlin - Data from the Federal Ministry of the Interior reveals an alarming increase in crimes against Deutsche Bahn employees and federal police officers over the past few years. Left Party MP Dietmar Bartsch inquired about this trend, reveling that 3,151 Deutsche Bahn employees and external service providers reported incidents of bodily harm or threats in 2024, compared to around 2,800 in 2022 and 2,750 in 2023. These figures are derived from the Police Crime Statistics, which record known crimes, signifying an underreporting.
The UEFA European Football Championship held in the summer of 2024 might have contributed to the increased number of incidents during that particular period due to the vast influx of travelers using trains.
Regarding federal police officers, the Police Crime Statistics documented 10,726 cases of threats and physical attacks in 2024, signifying a rise from 9,641 in 2023 and 8,125 in 2022. The first four months of 2025 saw 3,879 victims, indicating a concerning upward trend. This total includes instances of resistance against authorities.
Bartsch expressed his concerns to the German Press Agency (dpa) and the editorial network Germany (RND), stating, "Unfortunately, more and more people are perceiving train staff and police officers as punching bags of the nation. This lack of inhibition is unacceptable and paints a poor picture of the state of our country." He urged Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) to present a plan before the summer break addressing methods to reduce these crimes.
The escalating safety concerns for Deutsche Bahn employees and federal police officers have been highlighted in discussions, such as at the Eastern German Economic Forum, where safety challenges were emphasized [2][3]. Strategies for curbing this disturbing trend might necessitate a broader approach, potentially involving increased security measures, public awareness campaigns, and legislative reforms. Enhanced security and emergency response strategies across public transportation systems may prove essential in light of recent events, like the knife attack at Hamburg Central Station [5]. A comprehensive plan would necessitate consulting official government announcements or policy documents related to public safety and security for the most effective measures. In addition, plans for significant infrastructure boosts by the incoming coalition government might indirectly impact security measures through improved infrastructure and public services [4].
- The escalating incidents of violence against Deutsche Bahn employees and federal police officers, as revealed by recent general-news reports, has prompted calls for action, especially in the realm of politics, with Left Party MP Dietmar Bartsch urging the Federal Minister of the Interior to propose a plan to reduce these crimes.
- As the UEFA European Football Championship in 2024 resulted in a surge of travelers using trains, the Police Crime Statistics indicate an increase in crimes against federal police officers, with 10,726 cases of threats and attacks in 2024, raising concerns about the need for broader approaches to address crime-and-justice issues, potentially involving enhanced security measures, public awareness campaigns, and legislative reforms.
