Crime statistics for 2024 reveal a drop in reported incidents, dipping below figures from the last decade, with a steadfast clearance rate maintained throughout the year.

In the city of Hannover, the Police Directorate has published its crime statistics for 2024, revealing a decrease in overall crime to 110,575 cases from 116,462 in the previous year. This decline is primarily attributed to a drop in drug-related offenses, bicycle thefts, and simple shoplifting.

However, the decrease in overall offenses is not uniform across all categories. For instance, sexual offenses, which include crimes such as rape, sexual harassment, and the distribution of pornographic material, have seen a significant drop of 10.17%. This reduction is welcome news, but it's important to note that the distribution of pornographic material accounts for 41.4% of all registered sexual offenses cases.

On the other hand, there has been a renewed increase in cases of domestic violence (+9.87%), violence (+1.29%), and violence against police and rescue services (+4.32% and +33.33%). These figures underscore the continued need for comprehensive measures to address these issues.

The Hannover Police Directorate, under the leadership of Polizeipräsidentin Gwendolin von der Osten, has taken significant steps in this regard. The PD Hannover has been actively engaged in combating violence against women and is integrated into established network structures for combating domestic violence. Furthermore, they have implemented measures to identify and break the cycle of domestic violence, provide targeted counseling and support services, and optimize existing structures and awareness measures.

The statistics also reveal a concerning trend in youth crime. The proportion of suspects under the age of 21 is 45.2%, almost half of all suspects. An increase in juvenile suspects in the area of violent crime, including robbery and dangerous bodily harm, has been observed, with a 9.98% increase compared to 2023. It's worth noting that non-German suspects are disproportionately represented in youth crime.

Links between increased media consumption and youth delinquency are evident, with children, adolescents, and young adults being exposed to violent content. This is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach, involving education, parental guidance, and responsible content creation.

In a notable development, the PD Hannover, in collaboration with the General Prosecutor's Office in Bamberg, successfully targeted a far-reaching network of suspected pedocriminals. This includes the shutdown of an online platform facilitating contact between pedophiles and minors under the guise of musical talent promotion in September 2024.

The number of knife attacks has decreased slightly to 815 incidents in 2024, but remains at a high level. An analysis of the suspects involved in knife attacks shows that the majority are male, with 308 being German.

Overall, the 2024 crime statistics present a mixed picture of progress and challenges. While there are encouraging signs of a decrease in certain categories of crime, the increase in domestic violence, violence, and violence against police and rescue services, as well as the rise in youth crime, are areas of concern that require continued attention and action.