Police Crime Statistics 2017
Over the last twelve months, it appears that many things have improved. Certainly, one of the most remarkable developments is the ostensibly increased safety in the country, as suggested by the German Police Crime Statistics 2017. But does this claim genuinely rest on a solid foundation, or are the presented data at best misleading?
The German Police Crime Statistics (PKS) for 2017 show a decline in criminal offenses to a total of 5,761,984 in the past year, the lowest since 1992. The raw numbers undoubtedly convey a positive image. However, one should question whether every recorded crime is truly relevant to security. Of course, every violation of the law must be punished, but the weighting varies greatly. A small “bag of weed” for personal use certainly does not pose the same level of threat as a potential terrorist planning an attack. The former is statistically recorded, while the latter often remains in the shadows, as state security deals with such cases.
The legalization of drugs like cannabis in some countries, now including the USA, indicates a contrasting political direction. Nevertheless, the black market remains a dangerous reality, with all its incidents of acquisitive crime and the distribution of substances of questionable quality. The PKS 2017 recorded a rise in drug offenses by a full 9.2%, with a notably higher proportion of 13.5% for non-German suspects compared to only a 5% increase for German suspects. Possible reasons for this rise include increased availability and more sophisticated distribution channels, especially the internet.
Digital crime also reflects interesting figures. While the total number of cybercrime remained almost at the same level—108,510 crimes in 2017 compared to 107,751 the previous year—the increase in fraudulent offenses is striking. Whether computer fraud, forgery, or credit fraud, the disproportionate share of non-German suspects is noteworthy.
The crime covered by sexual criminal law has become particularly controversial. The category “rape and sexual coercion” shows a sharp increase from 7,919 to 11,282 cases. The official explanation attributes this to legislative changes in favor of victims, but the “Me Too” movement might have played a role by encouraging victims to report the crime. The increased numbers are not only alarming; they also highlight how varied the contributing factors are.
Crimes against state authority are another hot topic. Although the overall numbers have remained constant, the proportion of non-German suspects has increased. These figures regularly make headlines and polarize public opinion. Another problematic aspect of the statistics is crimes committed within prisons or at airports, which are still included in the general crime statistics, thus casting cities like Frankfurt, due to its international airport, in a worse light.
It’s also worth noting the so-called “potential threats” which are not accounted for in the PKS. Their surveillance and the preventive work of security forces claim significant personnel resources. Similarly, political demonstrations and marches from both the far right and far left, even though the statistics show a decrease in crimes with “right-wing” political motivation by 12.9% and an increase of “left-wing” by 3.9%. Particularly significant is the decline in attacks on asylum and refugee shelters by an impressive 68.6%.
Also interesting is the first-time separate recording of non-German victims, which offers new insights into the dynamics of crime. However, a detailed analysis of the relationship between non-German perpetrators and victims remains unexplored and would have provided additional insights.
Thus, the German PKS 2017 remains a controversial tool. It provides valuable information while simultaneously raising questions and giving food for thought. All one can say is: security is not just about statistical numbers.
Sources for this article:
Bundeskriminalamt. (2018). Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik 2017. BKA, 1(1), 1-450.
