A surge in criminal activity, including violent incidents and escalating security costs, is plaguing shopping centers and retail markets across Germany, according to a recent report by the German Council of Shopping Places (GCSP). The internal assessment, revealed to “Welt” paints a concerning picture of deteriorating safety and highlights the broader societal anxieties fueling a national debate about urban spaces.
The GCSP, representing approximately 90% of Germany’s shopping centers, specialist retail markets and large-scale retail properties, surveyed 1,105 commercial locations in 2024. The findings indicated a 32% rise in incidents compared to 2023, encompassing a broad spectrum of offenses from vandalism to armed robbery. The report explicitly notes a reported increase in aggression, repeat offenders and a higher proportion of perpetrators with a migrant background – a detail likely to further inflame the ongoing political debate. Preliminary data for 2025, according to GCSP Secretary General Ingmar Behrens, suggests the situation has “become even worse than in 2024.
Specifically, the report details 2,905 instances where knives or tools were used or carried, an increase of nearly 11%. Drug-related incidents jumped by 45%, while instances of bomb threats doubled and ATM explosions nearly did the same. Security personnel, employees and visitors were injured 235 times, a 25% increase. Vandalism, gang activity, threats against visitors and concerningly, cases of sexual harassment and rape, were also prevalent.
The escalating safety concerns are forcing shopping centers to ramp up security measures, leading to a 21% rise in costs, totaling 41 million euros, largely attributed to salary increases for security staff. While Behrens attempts to contextualize the numbers, noting the relatively low risk compared to other statistical anomalies, he concedes that “every single incident is too many” and acknowledged the resulting climate of unease among visitors and staff.
The report’s stark findings are being framed within the context of the contentious “urban landscape” debate sparked by Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz. Behrens urged further examination of the issues impacting shopping centers as a crucial component of this broader societal discussion. Critics argue that focusing solely on demographic details risks oversimplifying complex problems and perpetuating divisive narratives. However, Behrens insists that acknowledging the reality of the situation is a necessary precondition for initiating meaningful change and addressing the underlying factors contributing to the spike in crime. The debate and the data, are likely to intensify as Germany grapples with the implications for public safety and urban cohesion.
