The year 2024 has confirmed a positive trend in terms of safety in the United States, with a widespread decrease in both violent crimes and property crimes. According to official data based on incidents recorded by law enforcement, crime shows a significant decrease compared to 2023, consolidating an improvement that affects nearly all analysed categories.

As for violent crimes—which include homicides, rapes, robberies with violence, and aggravated assaults—the overall rate has been 370.8 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, representing a reduction of 6% compared to the previous year. This decrease is not uniform, but it is widespread: all types of violent crimes have experienced a decline.

Notably, the reduction in homicides stands out, which has decreased by 16%, resulting in a rate of 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. This decline is particularly relevant, as it concerns the crime with the greatest social and media impact. A decrease is also observed in robberies (−9%), rapes (−6%), and aggravated assaults (−5%), although the latter remains the most common type of violent crime.

In parallel, property crimes—which includeburglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts—have also experienced a notable reduction. The overall rate has decreased by 9%, from 2,019.7 to 1,835.1 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants. Among these, the most notable decrease corresponds to vehicle theft, with a drop of 19%, followed by thefts and burglaries, which also show a downward trend.

These data not only reflect a reduction in the number of crimes but also in victimisation, that is, in the number of affected persons. The violent crime victimisation rate has decreased to 376.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, while property crime victimisation has fallen by 12%. This indicates that the improvement is not only statistical but also has a real impact on the safety perceived by the population.

Despite this positive trend, the territorial analysis reveals significant differences between states. Some, like New Mexico, have rates significantly higher than the national average for both violent crimes and property crimes. Instead, other states like Maine or Idaho register considerably lower levels. In total, 14 states exceed the national average in violent crimes and 16 in property crimes, highlighting the persistence of regional inequalities in terms of security.

Regarding the characteristics of the victims, the data show a decrease in victimisation among various demographic groups, including white, black, and Asian individuals. However, no statistically significant changes have been detected in other groups, such as Hispanic people or Native American populations, which points to the need to continue developing more inclusive and specific security policies.

Overall, the results for 2024 suggest a favourable evolution of crime in the United States, with consistent declines in almost all major indicators. However, the persistence of territorial and demographic differences indicates that there are still significant challenges to be addressed. From a security perspective, these data reinforce the importance of maintaining and adapting prevention and response strategies, placing special emphasis on the most vulnerable areas and groups.

Ultimately, 2024 can be considered a year of improvement in terms of public safety, but also a reminder that the fight against crime requires constant vigilance and detailed analysis to ensure that progress is sustainable and equitable.

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Germany is traditionally considered one of the safest countries in Europe due to its strong institutions, a professional police force, and a consolidated judicial system. However, in recent years, the debate on public safety has gained importance due to the increase in certain forms of crime, as well as social changes and new threats such as political radicalisation or cybercrime.

According to police statistics, approximately 5.94 million crimes were recorded in Germany in 2023, representing an increase of 5.5% compared to the previous year. This increase is partly explained by the recovery of social and economic life after the COVID-19 pandemic, a period during which many crimes decreased due to mobility restrictions and limitations on daily activities. With the return to normality, various types of crime have returned to levels similar to or even higher than those before 2020.

One of the aspects that concerns the authorities the most is the increase in interpersonal violence. In 2023, more than 214,000 violent crimes were recorded, the highest figure in the last fifteen years. This type of crime includes serious assaults, violent robberies, and other forms of physical violence. There has also been an increase in knife attacks and episodes of street violence in certain areas.

In addition, sexual offences have also shown an upward trend in recent years. Reports of rape and sexual assault have notably increased, which has generated debate about the need to strengthen prevention measures, improve victim protection, and enhance the effectiveness of police investigations.

Although these increases do exist in some areas, it is important to contextualize the data. In the long term, crime in Germany has significantly decreased since the late 20th century. This decline is partly explained by the improvement of security policies, technological advances in protection systems, and better coordination between police and judicial institutions.

The distribution of crime is not homogeneous across the territory. Large cities concentrate a significant portion of recorded crimes, especially those related to thefts, burglaries, and assaults. Cities like Berlin, Bremen, or Hamburg have higher crime rates, while some federal states like Bavaria record lower levels and higher police resolution rates.

Thefts and burglaries continue to be one of the most frequent categories within crime statistics. After the pandemic, there has also been a rise in burglaries in homes and private spaces. Another phenomenon that is particularly concerning is the increase in politically motivated crimes. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in these incidents, especially those linked to the far right.

There have also been recorded violent incidents against migrants, religious communities, and individuals from the LGTBIQ+ community, as well as an increase in antisemitic crimes. These trends reflect a certain radicalisation in some sectors of society.

Cybercrime is another of the major challenges today. Cyberattacks, digital fraud, and other internet-related economic crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often have an international dimension. Although some statistics show a slight reduction in reported cases, authorities believe that many of these crimes go unreported, especially in the business sector, and that economic damages continue to rise.

To tackle these challenges, Germany has strengthened its specialised units in digital research and increased international cooperation among security forces.

The German security system is based on a federal structure in which police responsibility mainly falls on the federal states, while the federal government coordinates competencies related to border security, the fight against terrorism, and national or international criminal investigations.

In response to new security challenges, authorities have implemented various measures such as increasing police presence in public spaces, modernising the technology of security forces, and expanding digital investigation capabilities. Legislative reforms have also been proposed to restrict the use of bladed weapons in public spaces and to strengthen surveillance in certain urban areas.

In conclusion, Germany remains a relatively safe country compared to many other European and world states. However, the recent evolution of crime shows a more complex situation, marked by new challenges such as street violence, political radicalisation, and digital threats.

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In the discussions on public safety in Latin America, a false dilemma is often posed: either a “hardline” approach against crime or addressing the structural causes of violence. This dichotomy simplifies a much more complex reality. Truly effective policies do not choose between repression or prevention, but rather combine the ability to act urgently with sustainable strategies that reinforce justice, institutional legitimacy, and social cohesion.

In contexts of chronic insecurity, the demand for immediate results is understandable. When families live with daily fear, quick and visible responses generate tangible relief. The recent experience ofEl Salvador, with the declaration of a state of emergency and the implementation of massive incarceration measures, has been presented as a success story due to the drastic reduction of homicides and other crimes. This approach has increased citizen support for the government and has strengthened the perception of control. However, it has also opened a deep debate about the costs in terms of process, fundamental rights, and democratic quality.

The “tough on crime” approach is politically attractive for three main reasons. Firstly, it provides immediate results in contexts marked by electoral urgency and media pressure. Secondly, it is easy to communicate: incarcerations, police deployments, and large-scale operations are visible actions that are simple to explain. Thirdly, it concentrates power in the State and reduces spaces for accountability. In contrast, preventive strategies require inter-institutional coordination, time, and a more sophisticated narrative.

Now, social prevention alone is also not enough, especially in contexts with a high presence of organised crime. International research shows that sustained reduction of violence requires the effective integration of the criminal justice system with social services, community programs, and targeted interventions on risk factors. The key is not to weaken the State, but to make it more precise, legitimate, and strategic.

Scientific evidence points to four fundamental principles for a balanced security policy.

1. Focusing on high-risk individuals, places, and behaviours.
Violence is not distributed evenly: it is concentrated in small groups and specific territories. Evidence-based interventions—such as focused deterrence strategies applied in cities like Boston or Oakland—have demonstrated significant reductions in gun violence. In Chicago, programmes that combined cognitive behavioural therapy with youth engagement significantly reduced arrests for violent crimes among high-risk youth. These experiences show that acting with precision is more effective than applying indiscriminate measures.

2. Strengthening community capacity to prevent conflicts.
Local organisations, mediators, mentors, and civic justice programmes are key players in prevention. Initiatives such as the District Justice System of Bogotá or civic justice models implemented in various cities in Mexico have improved access to conflict resolution and the perception of institutional legitimacy. When communities have a solid social infrastructure, violence tends to decrease steadily.

3. Building legitimacy through fairness and procedural justice.
People comply with the law not only out of fear of punishment, but because they perceive the authorities as fair and respectful. Police training experiences in procedural justice in Mexico City have increased citizen satisfaction and reduced complaints. Institutional legitimacy is a strategic asset: it enhances cooperation, facilitates crime investigation, and strengthens social cohesion.

4. Strategic spatial interventions.
Improving the physical environment—lighting, restoration of degraded spaces, creation of green spaces—can reduce violence, especially in high-risk neighbourhoods. These actions are visible, relatively inexpensive, and reinforce the perception of institutional presence without resorting to direct confrontation.

Beyond the content of the policies, communication is decisive. Local leaders must avoid the polarised framework of “tolerance versus repression” and present security as a condition for economic development, health, education, and democratic quality. The central message should be that when violence is organised, the response must also be organised: coordination among police, justice, social services, and the community.

This implies prioritising accuracy over harshness, combining accountability with reintegration opportunities, and giving a voice to trusted messengers—mayors, police leaders, community leaders, or victims—who connect with the real concerns of the citizenry.

Ultimately, overcoming the false dilemma between a hardline approach and prevention is essential for moving towards more effective, fair, and sustainable security models. Balanced strategies do not renounce the authority of the State, but rather reinforce it through legitimacy, evidence, and collaboration. Security is not just the absence of crime; it is the foundation upon which prosperity and democratic trust are built.

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The 2024 annual report of the German Federal Police paints a worrying picture regarding security, especially in train stations and rail transport. Despite the fact that overall crime has decreased, the crimes that generate the most public alarm—violent and sexual—have increased significantly, confirming an upward trend that began in recent years.

According to the report, in 2024, 27,160 violent crimes were recorded at stations and on trains, an increase of 6% compared to the previous year and 51% compared to 2019. This increase is not limited to large cities, but also affects medium-sized, small, and even rural stations, indicating a territorial expansion of the problem. At the same time, sexual crimes such as exhibitionism, sexual harassment, assaults, and rapes increased by 19.2%, a particularly relevant figure due to its direct impact on the perception of insecurity, especially among women and vulnerable groups.

Overall, the Federal Police recorded 381,894 crimes at stations and trains, a figure that represents a global decrease of 10.1% compared to 2023. This apparent contradiction is explained because the reduction mainly affects administrative offences, especially those related to the Residence Law, while serious crimes continue to grow. This is emphasised by Manuel Ostermann, Vice President of the Federal Police Union, who warns that where it really matters—violence, sexual offences, and weapons—the situation is worsening.

Nationally, the trend is repeated: violent crimes have increased by 6.6% and sexual offences by 13% across Germany. It is important to keep in mind that these data only capture reported crimes and do not provide information on judicial proceedings or convictions, which limits the complete interpretation of the phenomenon.

Regarding the causes, the report and the union statements point to various structural factors. On the one hand, there is an increase in social marginalisation, with people increasingly neglected due to the lack of social infrastructure such as social services, educators, and teachers. This context fosters exclusion, domestic violence, and the consumption of alcohol and drugs, elements that frequently appear in the profile of aggressors.

The data confirms that 79% of the perpetrators are men, and that almost half (49%) were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the offence. Moreover, 53% did not have German nationality, a fact that has fuelled the political and social debate on immigration and security. Ostermann attributes part of the problem to immigration from the main asylum countries, although this approach is controversial and does not always take into account socioeconomic factors, integration, or life context.

Violence affects not only citizens but also police forces. In 2024, 2,967 assaults against federal police officers were recorded, the second highest figure since records began (2001). In total, 804 agents were injured, mostly men. Assaults include punches, kicks, spitting, bites, and blows with objects, and in one out of every eight cases, objects were used as improvised weapons, such as bottles or stones.

In light of this situation, the Federal Police and Deutsche Bahn have reinforced security measures with increased police presence, weapon-free zones, preventive controls, and a system of over 11,000 surveillance cameras. Despite this, police unions demand a greater commitment from the railway company, with more private security personnel, better-lit, cleaner, and modernised stations, and faster investment in infrastructure.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has described attacks on police officers as an attack on society as a whole, while Ostermann warns that much has been lost in the last ten years and that Germany faces dark years in terms of security if there is no real improvement in technology, legal framework, human resources, and cooperation between federal and state governments.

In conclusion, the report conveys a clear message: despite the reduction in global crime, safety is deteriorating precisely in the most sensitive areas. Train stations, key spaces for mobility and coexistence, have become critical points that demand comprehensive responses, combining social prevention, investment in security, institutional coordination, and long-term policies that go beyond reactive measures.

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The report Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2025, prepared by Wendy Sawyer and Peter Wagner, provides a comprehensive and rigorous overview of the incarceration system in the United States, aiming to dismantle persistent myths and provide clear data in an increasingly politicised debate. In a context where security is often used to justify punitive policies, the study demonstrates that many of these measures are not only ineffective but can also worsen public safety.

Currently, nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in the U.S. in a mosaic of systems (state and federal prisons, local jails, juvenile centres, immigration detention, psychiatric hospitals, and others), with a minimum annual cost of $182 billion. However, these figures do not reflect the enormous turnover of the system: each year, more than 7 million people go through pretrial detention, often for minor offences or without a final conviction.

One of the key points of the report is that most people in local jails have not been convicted. They are in pretrial detention because they cannot pay the bail, not because they pose an immediate danger. This extensive use of pretrial detention has a direct impact on security: it breaks family and work ties, exacerbates mental health problems, and increases the likelihood of reoffending.

The study also debunks the idea that prison overcrowding is primarily a consequence of the drug war or private prisons. Although drug-related crimes remain significant (over 360,000 people imprisoned), 4 out of 5 incarcerated individuals are imprisoned for other types of crimes. Moreover, nearly half of the incarcerated population is classified under the legal category of violent crimes, a label that is often misleading and includes conduct without actual physical harm.

From a security perspective, one of the most important conclusions is that mass incarceration does not reduce crime. The data shows that crime rates are at historic lows, despite alarmist political rhetoric. Moreover, long sentences and harsh conditions of confinement do not have a deterrent effect and may have a criminogenic impact, increasing the risk of future offences once the individual is released.

Finally, the report warns against the use of prisons as a substitute for social and health services. Prisons are not suitable spaces for the treatment of mental disorders or addictions, and failure in this area has direct consequences for collective security.

Overall, The Whole Pie 2025argues that smartly reducing incarceration is a security strategy, not a threat. Data-driven policies, prevention, community services, and responses provided to crime are much more effective in building safe societies than the logic of mass punishment.

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A new Europol report provides a comprehensive analysis of the new tactics employed by criminal networks to traffic cocaine to Europe via maritime routes. The document, ‘Diversification in Maritime Cocaine Trafficking Modi Operandi’, provides an in-depth analysis of the different tactics employed by organised criminal networks, which continue to exploit vulnerabilities and evade detection.

Cocaine trafficking in Europe has reached unprecedented levels, driven by high production in Latin America and increasing demand within the EU. Criminal networks have demonstrated their ability to quickly adjust operations, fragmenting routes and adopting complex and covert trafficking methods. This new Europol report highlights the use of semi-submersibles and other non-commercial vessels, as well as the incorporation of cocaine into various transport materials before shipment to Europe.

Transfers at sea often involve a mother vessel from Latin America transferring cocaine to a daughter vessel off the coast of West Africa. Cocaine is unloaded in West Africa for subsequent shipment to continental EU or sent to the Canary Islands. Using rigid-hulled inflatable boats, criminal networks also transport cocaine directly to mainland Spain. Upon reaching the Andalusian coast, criminal networks use the Guadalquivir River to transport cocaine inland for further distribution.

A prominent example of these new tactics is illustrated by a recent operation codenamed ‘Sombra Negra’ which exposed a significant shift in drug trafficking methods. Led by the Spanish authorities and with the support of Europol, this operation resulted in the arrest of 101 suspects and the seizure of more than 10 tonnes of cocaine on the Iberian Peninsula.

The operation highlighted a shift in drug trafficking methods, as the criminal network relied on advanced maritime infrastructures to transport large quantities of cocaine from South America to Europe via the Iberian Peninsula. The suspects used high-speed vessels capable of exceeding 70 km/h and complex encrypted communication systems to evade law enforcement. The operation represented a decisive blow to one of the largest cocaine trafficking organisations in Europe and underscored a regional shift from cannabis trafficking to cocaine trafficking.

This operation exemplifies the main findings of the report, which include:

• Diversified routes and methods: criminal networks are avoiding major commercial ports by using depots and transfers at sea, semi-submersibles, and non-commercial vessels. These methods allow them to evade the presence and controls of law enforcement, making detection and interception difficult.

• Sophisticated concealment: cocaine is increasingly hidden in industrial equipment, machinery, and transport materials such as food, plastics, and textiles. These methods make detection by scanners, sniffer dogs, and forensic tests extremely difficult.

• Technological advancements: criminal networks are taking advantage of advanced technologies, including encrypted communication systems, autonomous vessels, and drones, to enhance their operations and evade detection.

The report also highlights the need to improve maritime surveillance, financial investigations, and forensic expertise to expose hidden compartments, chemically incorporated drugs, and extraction laboratories. Collaborations between law enforcement, customs, port authorities, and the private sector are essential to secure supply chains and share data in real time.

Europol’s response to the threat of cocaine trafficking includes operational support through its specific Drugs Unit, analytical and coordination support, and the deployment of experts on the ground. The strategic role of the Agency in providing an EU perspective on the various threats posed by drug trafficking criminal networks is crucial for identifying changes in criminal behaviour and trafficking routes.

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Fire safety has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades, largely driven by scientific research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)in the United States. In light of the evolution of buildings, combustible materials, and the operational conditions of firefighters, the NIST has provided the necessary technical foundation to update equipment, standards, and intervention strategies, with a direct impact on the protection of human lives.

One of the key areas has been the evaluation of the performance of equipment used in extreme conditions. In the case of thermal cameras, NIST developed the first tests capable of measuring whether these devices continued to detect small temperature differences when the camera itself was exposed to temperatures of up to 260 °C. This research allowed for the establishment of objective quality criteria, ensuring that firefighters have reliable tools in hostile environments.

With regard to portable radios, firefighters had detected communication failures during fires. NIST identified that the source of the problem was the deviation of the transmission frequency at high temperatures.

Another critical element is the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The incidents of visors becoming opaque or melting led NIST to study the effect of intense radiant heat flow. Based on real-scale experiments and simulations, new tests and performance criteria were defined, improving the protection and visibility of firefighters during firefighting.

Despite the reduction in the number of structural fires since the end of the 20th century, firefighter mortality due to fire has increased. NIST demonstrated that this phenomenon was related to changes in architecture (larger and more airtight homes), the use of lightweight materials, and the increase in the fire load of modern furniture.

The research introduced the concept of fire dynamics, highlighting the importance of the rate of fire growth and the role of oxygen. A fire limited by oxygen can suddenly intensify when a door or window is opened, creating a flow path through which heat and smoke circulate. The message for the firefighters is clear: control the air inlets and avoid positioning themselves in those flow paths.

A particularly relevant example is that of fires in basements. NIST demonstrated that fire can grow violently under a floor that, on the surface, still seems safe. The evidence showed that applying water from the outside for just 60 seconds could drastically reduce the risk, changing historical tactics of interior attack.

Smoke detectors have significantly reduced fatalities since the 1970s, but changes in housing design and combustible materials have limited their effectiveness. NIST demonstrated that modern fires offer much less time to escape and that alarms are often disabled due to false kitchen alarms.

Based on trials with real furniture and kitchen scenarios, NIST provided the key data to develop a new generation of tests. Starting in 2024, all new detectors must meet a series of requirements, with the aim of increasing evacuation time and saving lives.

The expansion of housing in forested areas has drastically increased the risks of urban-forest interface fires. NIST has studied how fire spreads through radiation, convection, and, above all, through embers, capable of igniting buildings at great distances.

To analyse this phenomenon, NIST created the Firebrand Generator (NIST Dragon) and the Emberometer, tools that have become international references and the basis of the ISO 6021 standard. This knowledge has allowed for the definition of design criteria for façades, ventilation, and environments close to buildings.

At the community level, NIST has promoted methodologies such as the Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM) and the ESCAPE method (2023), which address both building resilience and urban planning and evacuation, already adopted by various communities.

Finally, the National Fire Research Laboratory (NFRL) allows for the testing of complete structures subjected to real fire and mechanical loads. This approach surpasses traditional testing and helps to understand how and when structural failure occurs, facilitating safer, more resilient, and efficient designs.

Overall, the work of NIST exemplifies how applied science can translate into standards, equipment, and strategies that enhance firefighter safety, reduce civilian casualties, and make communities more resilient to fire.

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Europol has recently published the Unmanned future(s): The impact of robotics and unmanned systems on law enforcement. The report, prepared by the Europol Innovation Lab, provides an in-depth analysis of how unmanned systems could change society, crime, and law enforcement, and examines the challenges and opportunities they present.

The report highlights the rapid advancement and integration of unmanned systems in various sectors, including law enforcement. As these technologies become more sophisticated and widespread, they offer new opportunities for law enforcement operations and operational support. However, they also introduce new threats to security, such as misuse by criminal and terrorist groups, and regulatory challenges that law enforcement must address to ensure public safety and maintain trust.

One chapter of the report highlights the role of war as a driver of innovation in unmanned systems. Recent conflicts, such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, have been a catalyst in the development and deployment of advanced unmanned systems. The lessons learned from these conflicts are invaluable for law enforcement in Europe as they prepare for the future operational environment.

Unmanned systems are becoming increasingly useful, affordable, and widely available, with applications in both the public and private sectors. Police forces across Europe are expanding the adoption of these systems, including drones and robots, to improve situational awareness, enhance safety, and broaden operational reach. These systems are used for a range of tasks such as surveillance, crime scene mapping, search and rescue operations, and explosive ordnance disposal, among others. Converging technologies present a significant opportunity for advancing the capabilities of unmanned systems.

The report highlights significant technical limitations and regulatory gaps that hinder the effective use of unmanned systems in law enforcement. Problems such as limited autonomy, dependence on industrial suppliers, and the lack of clear guidelines for autonomous operations pose significant challenges.

Criminal and terrorist groups are rapidly adopting unmanned systems for illicit activities. The report warns of the potential for these systems to be used for criminal surveillance, smuggling, and even attacks. The growing accessibility and versatility of drones, in particular, present serious security issues.

Public trust is crucial for the legitimacy of law enforcement capabilities. The report emphasises the need for transparency, accountability, and public participation in the deployment of unmanned systems. Current regulations, despite advancing, still have loopholes, especially when it comes to addressing non-compliant or criminal use.

The future of law enforcement will require police action in a three-dimensional space, as unmanned systems operate in the air and on the ground, as well as on and under water. This change will require new strategies, technologies, and training for the agencies responsible for law enforcement.

The report provides a set of recommendations for European law enforcement agencies, including the development of a strategic direction, the establishment of a competency hub, and the integration of unmanned systems into existing information systems. It also calls for investments in training, education, and initiatives to promote public trust.

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In the United States, the average age of homicide victims in 2025 is the highest recorded since at least before 1976. That is what the FBI data seems to indicate, according to criminal analyst Jeff Asher.

The best source of data on homicide victims in the U.S. is the FBI’s Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR). The SHR is a collection of data from the FBI on all homicide victims in a given year. Agencies report details about the month, the age of the victim and the offender, race and sex, the circumstances behind the homicide, and what type of weapon was used.

The SHR is somewhat difficult to address. Not all states participate (for example, the state of Florida does not report) and not all agencies report every year. Many computers can today manage a spreadsheet of 20,000 rows and 100 bytes, but the SHR is produced in ASCII format, which is incredibly difficult to use.

Fortunately (and this is an understatement), Jacob Kaplan has studied all the old SHR data dating from 1976 to 2024 and has made it reasonably easy for everyone to access. Typically, between 80% and 90% of the estimated number of homicides each year appear in the SHR, although this figure has been increasing in recent years thanks to Florida starting to report again. The increase in 2024 likely reflects that the estimate for that year needed to be revised upward by several hundred, but more than 90% of last year’s homicides appeared in the SHR.

The analysis of the data for 2025 should be taken with caution because the data are not definitive. Obviously, the year is not over, but even the agencies that have reported have not done so completely. However, it is a major victory that the FBI’s monthly reports include the SHR.

If we go back to the SHR until 1976, we see the trend that the average homicide victim is ageing.

The average homicide victim so far, during this current year, is nearly 36 years old, older than any of the last 50 years of SHR collection. Last year, the average homicide victim was slightly younger, although it is possible that this year’s average age will decrease when the data is fully analysed. Be that as it may, the age of homicide victims in 2024 and 2025 was the highest in more than half a century of data collection.

It is not just a case of the peculiarity of the FBI data. CDC homicide data shows a similar increase in the average age of the homicide victim, which matches almost exactly the FBI’s average age virtually every year since 2001 (higher due to the inclusion of 9/11 in the CDC data).

If we break down the annual homicide victim proportion by age ranges, it shows that just over 60% of homicide victims in the last two years were between 18 and 44 years old, a considerably lower amount than just five years ago.

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Alarmist headlines about crime, drugs and street violence are commonplace in the German media. Viral videos, such as those by South African-born German blogger Kurt Caz showing Frankfurt’s troubled Bahnhofsviertel neighbourhood, reinforce the perception that Germany is experiencing a security crisis. But what does the data really say?

Bahnhofsviertel has historically been a marginal district, with a high presence of drugs and prostitution. Criminologist Susanne Karstedt reminds us that these aspects attract violence and drug-related crime. As in many other countries, German cities have higher crime rates than rural areas, especially in places with marked social inequalities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt or Bremen.

However, Karstedt insists that Germany is a safe country. Crime, in general, has been decreasing since the 80s and 90s of the last century. Technology, as in the case of modern vehicle safety systems, has contributed to this reduction.

Journalists Pere Hille and Kira Schact, from dw.com, consider that one of the most useful indicators to compare safety between countries is the homicide rate. With 0.91 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, Germany ranked 147th in the world in 2024. This figure places it far behind countries such as South Africa (with more than 40 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) or the United States (5.76).

Two decades ago, Germany had a much higher homicide rate (2.5), showing a clear improvement. However, a recent upturn in violent crime has been detected, especially among young men, a group that is often affected by difficult social conditions.

Discussions on migration and crime often generate controversy. But Karstedt points out that there is no direct relationship between being a migrant and committing crimes. In fact, several studies show that migrants generally commit less crime than native citizens. What does have an influence are social factors such as lack of opportunities, unemployment or educational level.

In addition, many migrants live in urban environments, where crime is statistically higher. Gina Rosa Wollinger, a criminologist from Cologne, stresses that this can distort public perception, since it is not migration per se that explains crime, but the context in which these people live.

Studies on youth crime confirm that the causes of violence are the same for German and non-German youth. But there are more risks among young migrants, especially if they have lived through traumatic experiences of war or social exclusion.

Official crime statistics in Germany come from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). However, these data only include reported cases.  Domestic violence or sexual assaults often go unreported, especially in rural areas or in close relationships (family members, teachers, coaches, etc.).

Karstedt stresses that most sexual assaults are not committed by strangers, but by someone close to the victim. Cases like New Year’s Eve 2015 in Cologne, in which dozens of women were assaulted by strangers, are the exception, not the norm.

Karstedt, who lives in Australia, but often visits her hometown of Hamburg, says she has always felt safe, even on public transport. Although she acknowledges that Germany may seem less friendly than other countries, she stresses that it is a safe country.

Public perception is often influenced by sensational news stories and viral videos. Despite social challenges and occasional spikes in crime, the data show that Germany remains one of the safest countries in the world.

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