Germany records increase in attacks on refugee shelters in 2024
German authorities recorded 255 politically motivated crimes against refugee shelters in 2024, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday, revising the previously reported number of 218.
The figure, provided in response to an enquiry by The Left party, was significantly higher than the 176 attacks on refugee shelters reported in 2023.
The ministry's data show that the number of attacks has risen significantly since 2017.
The government had previously said the number of politically motivated crimes against refugee accommodation had remained below 200 per year over the last five years.
This followed the highest figure recorded in recent years of 284, reported in 2017.
The number of politically motivated crimes committed against refugees outside shelters was also revised upwards for 2024 due to subsequent reports to a total of 2,271, remaining slightly below the 2,450 recorded in 2023.
These included 287 violent crimes in 2024, in which 235 people were injured, the ministry said.
The Interior Ministry said 30 politically motivated crimes had been recorded in the first quarter of 2025, in which refugee accommodation was either the scene of the crime or the target of an attack.
The police have been able to identify suspects in six cases.
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