School violence in Germany has seen a significant increase, with 27,470 violent crimes reported in 2023. This alarming trend has prompted calls for action, including the deployment of specially trained security personnel in schools.
Sharp rise in violent incidents across German states
According to a report by the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” based on data from security authorities in various German states, there was a 27% increase in violent crimes at schools in 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2022, 21,570 violent crimes were recorded, including both minor and serious bodily harm.
The most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, reported the highest number of violent crimes with 4,808 incidents in 2023, up from 2,972 in 2022. Baden-Württemberg followed with nearly 3,000 recorded crimes, compared to 2,456 the year before. Other states also saw significant increases:
- Lower Saxony: from 2,295 to 2,850
- Berlin: from 2,325 to 2,721
- Bavaria: from 2,228 to 2,645
While the number of violent crimes in schools was notably lower during the COVID-19 years of 2020 and 2021, this was largely due to school closures during the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic figures from 2019, there has been an overall increase, though complete data from all states for 2019 was not available.
Calls for enhanced security measures
In response to this rising trend, Stefan Düll, President of the German Teachers’ Association, has called for specially trained security personnel in schools. Düll emphasized, “I’m not talking about classic security officers who organize a fire alarm twice a year.” He explained that security should encompass violence prevention, anti-aggression training, traffic safety, and crisis intervention.
However, Düll rejected the idea of security services with metal detectors, stating that schools are “not criminal justice centers.” This stance highlights the delicate balance between enhancing safety and maintaining an open, educational environment.
The significant increase in school violence underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to address this issue, balancing security measures with maintaining a positive learning environment for students and staff.
