Berlinow – Your Berlin Story
Crime rises in Berlin. Nevertheless, the German capital is still one of the safest cities by European standards.
According to the statistics of 2011, crime increased 4.1 percent in the past year to 494 185 offenses. The clearance rate fell 2.3 percent to 46.1 percent during the same period.
According to Margarete Koppers, Deputy President of the Berliner police force, the rise in crime is essentially due to a hefty surge in thefts and housebreakings. Homicides also escalated (+9.5 percent), arson (+28.5) and attacks in public transport system (+9.3). Internet crime declined with 9.0, and youth group violence by 20.3.
To fight crime more effectively, 250 new jobs will be created in the police force. Video surveillance recordings from subway stations will be kept for 48 hours, instead of 24 hours as now.
