Young robbers in Bremen: A look behind the scenes of their crimes

Young robbers in Bremen: A look behind the scenes of their crimes

In the heart of Bremen, where stories of hope and despair are closely intertwined, reporter János Kereszti spent a year exploring the world of the so-called “Young Robbers”. This group of young people is linked by the police to crimes such as theft and robbery. In the spring of 2024, Mohamed, 20 years old, and Jawad, 19 years old, agreed to share their stories. Both come from North Africa and have had an arduous journey that took them through many European countries and ultimately led them to prison.

They sit down in a restaurant in Bremen to talk about their lives. You have been convicted of theft, attempted grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery with weapons. Despite their criminal past, they tend to see themselves as victims of circumstances. For them, poverty and lack of prospects in their home countries are the driving forces behind their actions, while they strive for a new beginning in Germany. “We didn’t know where to go,” explains Mohamed, who was just released from prison.

Challenges of integration

The connection between migration and crime is complex. While a small proportion of migrants commit crimes, overall they have a higher crime rate than locals. An analysis by the Federal Agency for Civic Education finds that these differences are often caused by social pressures and challenges in integration. Violent crimes among refugees in particular often occur in the context of conflicts in shared accommodation and reflect the tense living conditions. The situation of young people is viewed particularly critically: since 2022, youth crime, especially among 12 to 15 year olds, has been increasing. According to the bpb, there is an urgent need for action to promote integration through improved equipment in schools and youth welfare services.

Police crime statistics show that the proportion of foreign suspects in all cases in 2024 was 35.4 percent, although migrants only make up around 14.5 percent of the population. The data makes it clear that the crime rate among non-German whites has remained constant over the last 20 years, even if individual cases, especially violent attacks, attract great public attention. This often leads to fears in society regarding integration problems.

Media perception and social effects

Media reports about the actions of migrants create a negative context that further increases fears of integration. While over 342,000 foreigners were counted as victims of crime in Germany in 2024, reports of crimes committed by immigrants are becoming increasingly prevalent and are often not to be understood in relation to their contribution to society.

Kereszti says the setbacks in interviewing Mohamed and Jawad highlight the challenges migrants face. Mohamed is arrested again before they can fully tell their story. Some members of the so-called “Young Robbers” have great difficulty putting their past behind them and the cycle of crime often seems difficult to break. Overcoming one's own past and trying to find a new identity in Germany is a daily struggle for many.

In summary, it shows that the challenges that young refugees like Mohamed and Jawad face go far beyond personal fates. It is a social problem that requires solutions that promote integration and improve living conditions. A holistic approach is necessary to put young people who have followed similar paths on the right track and to bring the positive aspects of migration to the fore.

buten and within reported that…, bpb provides deeper insights while Media service integration provides further data on crime among migrants.