Knife attacks in Germany: an uncanny increase in violence!

Knife attacks in Germany: an uncanny increase in violence!

A 26-year-old man has been standing before the Mainz district court since Monday, March 24, 2025. The indictment is based on an incident that occurred in the Volkspark in May 2023 when the accused threatened two acquaintances with a knife. During a game in which the participants wet water with water, he pulled a knife and threatened one of the companions with the words: "I stop you". This aggressive act led the victim to fled, followed by the accused, who was unable to catch up with it.

The man responsible for the incident then followed another companion who escaped through a chain link fence. The defendant could not overcome the fence. Another tortious behavior was charged to the accused in September 2023 when he tried to step into a passer -by in his stomach. However, the passerby was able to ward off the kick, which prevented another assault.

psychological problems in focus

The public prosecutor's view is that the accused's aggressive acts may be related to a psychiatric disease. This could play a central role in the ongoing negotiations that will continue on March 28 and on April 8th. It remains to be seen how the court will take these aspects into account in its decision.

The case raises major questions that go beyond the details of the procedure. Increases of violence, especially knife attacks, have become a much discussed topic in Germany in recent years. This can also be seen in a current view of increasing reporting on knife attacks and the associated perpetrator profiles.

increase in knife attacks in Germany

According to an investigation of the media service integration, there was a significant number of knife attacks in the country. While a total of 10,917 "knife attacks" were documented in 2021, there were already 8,160 incidents in the context of dangerous and serious assault in 2022. The statistics presented climbs in several federal states, while others, such as Rhineland-Palatinate, recorded a decline. Against this background, the discussion about possible perpetrator profiles is further fueled, especially with regard to the origin of the suspects.

Media reporting also played a role. Over 600 analyzed reports show that foreign suspects are discussed disproportionately frequently. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, 42.6% of the suspected foreign origin came, while this proportion was even 51.7% in Berlin. It is often not taken into account that the vast majority of victims of knife attacks are only slightly or not injured.

The case of the 26-year-old defendant in Mainz could not only have far-reaching consequences for him personally, but also in the context of a broader debate about violence and crime in Germany. It remains to be seen how the processes develop and what social answers they will have.

These arguments are not only legally relevant, but also affect public security and social climate in Germany. The questions that are about violent crime and their possible causes will continue to employ us.