According to a recent report commissioned by trade association GCSP, offenses and aggression in German shopping centers are on the rise, with 75% of perpetrators identified as having a migration background. The GCSP warns that this trend is creating a sense of lack of safety among staff and customers, compounded by inconsistent law enforcement.
Last Saturday in Stuttgart, a 37-year-old Romanian man caught shoplifting attempted to punch a store detective and resisted arrest even after police arrived.
Such incidents are typical across Germany: the GCSP survey, covering 1,105 retail properties including 248 shopping centers, 99 retail parks, and 758 large-scale stores, documented 18,276 cases in 2024—a 32% increase over 2023. Knives or tools were involved in 2,905 cases, drug use in 1,389, and 235 people were injured. Repeat offenders remain high at 35%.
Security costs rose by roughly 21% to €41 million last year, including tariff increases, with stab-proof vests becoming more common. The GCSP highlighted organized theft, professionally run drug trafficking, and the failure of 3,455 documented bans to curb repeat offenses.
Just last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz sparked controversy with his comments about securing Germany’s borders, adding that “we still have this problem in the cityscape”—a clear (albeit mild) reference to migrant crime, meaning that the visible presence of undocumented and unemployed migrants contributes to declining public order.
His observation, supported by a broad majority of public opinion according to polls, was seen by the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) as unfairly targeting migrants. Even within Merz’s own CDU, senior figures acknowledged the “disturbing cityscape” issue and openly condemned his approach. Commentator Anna Nina stressed that “Merz didn’t say too much, but much TOO LITTLE in the debate about cityscapes.”
The GCSP report notes that retail properties face growing risks. Modern shopping centers are expected to remain safe, weapon-free zones, and the increase in aggression, repeat offenders, and the high proportion of perpetrators with a migration background highlights the need for stronger enforcement and security measures.
Retail associations, including the German Retail Federation (HDE), also call for stricter penalties. Nationwide losses from shoplifting reached nearly €3 billion in 2024, with many incidents going uncharged, leaving staff and visitors at risk.
The situation is not much better in Italy either. Youth criminal gangs rob small shops practically unpunished, in particular in Italy’s ten most dangerous cities, which include the capital, as well as Milan (placed No.1), Florence, Turin and Bologna. As Italian conservative politicians like Lega’s Isabella Tovaglieri have pointed out, 9 of the 10 Italian cities with the highest crime rates (the only exception being Venice) are governed by the Left.
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