Düsseldorf (dpa/lnw) - The number of violent crimes allegedly committed by children and young people has recently increased significantly in North Rhine-Westphalia. This came out on Friday from data from the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia, which relates to crimes in the areas of bodily harm, robbery and threats.
In the first three quarters of 2022, a total of 13,191 cases were identified in these crime areas nationwide, in which the suspects were exclusively children (under 14 years of age). That is 4919 cases or almost 60 percent more than in the corresponding period of 2021. Compared to the same period of the pre-Corona year 2019, that is 2481 cases or a good 23 percent more.
The "Bild" newspaper previously reported on the recent increase and a reaction from Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU). "Of course, these numbers are worrying at first glance. But there was a pandemic in 2020 and 2021. People were at home," said Reul, according to the State Criminal Police Office. This affects the crime situation.
"Nevertheless, we must not downplay the current development. It has nothing to do with youthful carelessness," said Reul also "Bild". "We have criminal youth gangs in mind and must use everything we have to counteract the emergence of these dangerous groups," emphasized the state's interior minister.
