Kassel crime rate drops 14.7% after security reforms

Kassel's bold security push slashes crime rates by 14.7% in 2025

Kassel a Founding Member of the Initiative

From the outset, Kassel has been part of the program. Today, Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck gained firsthand insight into the measures implemented in the city. The minister engaged in discussions with local officers before touring the city center, accompanied by Marco Bärtl, president of the North Hesse Police, City Councilor Dr. Norbert Wett, and Ralf Heuken, head of the municipal police.

Following his visit, Interior Minister Roman Poseck offered a positive interim assessment of the Inner City Security Initiative and contextualized local progress: "City centers are the heart of every community. That's why it's crucial for residents to feel—and actually be—safe. Two years ago, we launched this initiative with precisely that goal in mind. My visits to Giessen, Hanau, and now Kassel have once again demonstrated its effectiveness. Crime in Hesse is measurably declining. In 2025, street crime fell by 3.6% to 63,077 cases, down from 73,419 in 2015. Particularly sharp reductions were recorded in Kassel (–14.7%), Bad Hersfeld (–14.6%), Wiesbaden (–12.2%), Giessen (–10.3%), Rüsselsheim (–7.3%), and Frankfurt's Bahnhofsviertel district (–6.9%). Statewide, we've seen pickpocketing drop by 25.9%, street robbery by 15.2%, and bicycle theft by 11.5% in 2025. Our push for greater urban safety has played a major role in this decline. Increased police presence and targeted patrols not only deter crime but also bolster public confidence. Citizens overwhelmingly respond with gratitude to these measures, and officers strongly support the program, as it enables more proactive policing. The police are now more visible and perceived more positively. Today's visit to Kassel underscores how targeted action can tangibly improve security."

Knife Attacks in Public Spaces Drop by 24.5% in Kassel

Kassel is a safe city. Its roughly 200,000 residents can rely on their police: last year, reported crimes in Kassel fell by 6.3%, according to police statistics. Street crime alone declined by nearly 15% between 2024 and 2025—and by 25% over the past two years (2023: 4,596 cases; 2024: 4,062; 2025: 3,465). These figures prove our strategy is working. The crime rate per 100,000 inhabitants also dropped again last year, to 10,263 (2024: 10,554; 2023: 12,047), while the clearance rate climbed steadily over the past three years to 61.7%. The most dramatic declines were in street robbery (–33.3%), aggravated assault (–7.3%), and pickpocketing (–2.8%).

I welcome the fact that since October 2024, Kassel's city center has been designated a weapon- and knife-free zone. This measure allowed police to confiscate 120 weapons last year, including 78 knives. As a result, knife attacks in public spaces fell by 24.5%, from 49 cases in the previous year to 37.

CCTV Plays a Key Role

CCTV Systems Play a Key Role

In Kassel, ten surveillance cameras are currently in operation, contributing not only to crime resolution but also serving as a deterrent. In 2025, video footage helped solve or uncover 151 offenses—a 77% increase over the previous year (2024: 85 cases). A striking example of the system's effectiveness can be seen in Luther Park, where a drug and alcohol scene that had long been seen as disruptive and intimidating was successfully dispersed. Footage showed that the area was immediately abandoned once the camera was installed—a clear win for residents' sense of security.

As one of the first municipalities in the KOMPASS network, Kassel has consistently leveraged prevention programs. The city is set to receive the Security Seal on May 12, 2026, marking another milestone in police-community collaboration. I am already looking forward to the award ceremony.

This progress is no accident—it is the result of determined joint action by the police, local government, and regulatory authorities. My sincere thanks go to all the officers who work daily to keep Kassel safe. We will continue down this path with resolve and press ahead with our Inner City Initiative.

Decline in Street Crime Rates in Kassel

Police President Marco Bärtl adds: "Kassel's Inner City Initiative to combat crime is clearly making an impact. The police have made significant efforts to effectively tackle criminal activity in the city center and other hotspots, and the results show that we have taken the right steps.

Our targeted patrols and investigations focused on offenders and high-risk areas have proven effective. We have continuously refined these measures and broken new ground by establishing a dedicated City Unit (OE), which has been restructured and adapted to current challenges. While we must remain modest, I am convinced that this represents a major success. A 25% drop in street crime over two years, including a 14.7% decrease in 2025—bringing the total to 3,465 cases (597 fewer than before)—is tangible proof of our progress.

That said, combating crime in public spaces requires a well-coordinated set of measures. The introduction of a weapon-free zone, the expansion and technical upgrade of CCTV coverage, the reinforcement of municipal police staffing by the City of Kassel, and close cooperation with judicial authorities all strengthen our urban security framework. In my view, these efforts demonstrate a capable state in action and have contributed significantly to this positive trend."