As reported by a German news network, the number of crimes committed against federal police and railway employees has been steadily increasing over the past few years, with a new record expected this year. According to a response from the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a small question from the Left Party in the German Bundestag, the data reveals a significant rise in crimes committed against federal police, including resistance, physical assault and threats, from 8,125 in 2022 to 10,726 in 2024.
In the first four months of the current year, a total of 3,879 relevant crimes have been reported, which, if the trend continues, would result in a total of 11,637 for the entire year. The federal police are primarily responsible for securing train stations and airports.
In the same period, the number of crimes committed against Deutsche Bahn employees, such as physical harm, dangerous physical harm and threats, rose from 2,799 in 2022 to 3,151 in 2024. From January to April of this year, a total of 1,244 such incidents were recorded, which, if the trend continues, would result in a total of 3,732 for the entire year.
The data is based on the police’s intake statistics, according to the ministry’s response.
In an interview with the news network, Left Party Bundestag member Dietmar Bartsch expressed concern over the rising trend of crimes against railway employees and federal police, saying, “Although nearly 14,000 crimes were committed against railway employees and federal police last year, the first few months of the year suggest a further, sad record. Unfortunately, more and more people are treating railway employees and police as punching bags of the nation. This loss of control is unacceptable and presents a poor report card for our country’s state of affairs.”
Bartsch also criticized Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, saying he has been focusing on symbolic politics and should not ignore the numerous crimes committed against railway employees and federal police. The minister should, according to Bartsch, present a plan by the summer break on how to reduce the high number of crimes and re-establish recognition and respect for federal police and railway employees.