According to German police statistics, non-German citizens appear disproportionately in criminal cases; however, a new study suggests that the reasons for this are not limited to crime rates alone, but are also linked to demographic structure and social factors.

Every year, when the German Federal Criminal Police Office releases crime statistics, the far-right political party 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) pays particular attention to them. They specifically look for crimes committed by refugees, migrants, and foreign nationals residing in Germany.

However, research by media experts reveals that 95 percent of the AfD‘s press releases focus on suspects who are not German, while crimes involving German citizens are almost entirely ignored.

However, the common narrative propagated by ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD)—that non-Germans are inherently more prone to violence—is entirely incorrect.

In a new study, sociologist and criminologist Susanne Pretor and her colleagues conducted a detailed analysis of crime statistics in Germany. Susanne is also a professor at the Police Academy in the German state of Lower Saxony. The research carried out by her team examined not only crimes documented in police records but also those that go unreported and, consequently, are not reflected in official statistics.

New study: Age and social factors more important than citizenship in crime gap

According to research, non-German citizens appear more frequently in police records for criminal offenses compared to German citizens; however, studies concerning unreported crimes indicate that non-German citizens are nearly twice as likely to have a crime reported against them to the police. Researchers state that while a disparity in criminal activity exists between the two groups, this difference appears significantly less pronounced when data on unreported crimes is taken into account.

According to researcher Susanne Pretor, factors such as being young, male, having a low level of education, and a prior history of violence increase the likelihood of violent behavior; however, there is no evidence to suggest that culture is a primary cause. A survey indicates that 5 percent of German youth view violence positively, compared to 10 percent among youth who do not hold a German passport.

Susanne Pretor notes that attitudes toward violence are shaped within the home. She explains that children who experience violence at home may develop a different relationship with—and a different perspective on—violence compared to others; therefore, family upbringing plays a significant role in this regard.

Violent crime rates in Germany are lower than in the past

According to Professor Susanne Prätor, Germany is nonetheless moving in the right direction; 50 to 60 years ago, physical violence in the upbringing of children was far more common, and violent crimes committed by young people have also decreased compared to the 1990s and 2000s. She notes that only 0.2 percent of German citizens and 0.6 percent of non-German residents are involved in serious violent crimes—meaning that more than 99 percent of both German and non-German residents in Germany do not commit any such serious violent offenses.

More investment is needed for crime prevention in Germany.

According to Susanne Pretor, the majority of immigrants in Germany have successfully integrated into society; however, further investment in the upbringing of children and youth, the development of social skills, and the provision of recreational facilities is necessary to prevent crime. She notes that a lack of positive daily activities for young people is one of the key factors contributing to violence.