17-year-old stabbed in Braunschweig – perpetrator on the run!

17-year-old stabbed in Braunschweig – perpetrator on the run!

On the night of Sunday, October 28, 2025, a frightening incident occurred at the John-F.-Kennedy-Platz tram stop in Braunschweig. A 17-year-old teenager was stabbed there by two unknown young men and had to undergo emergency surgery. Fortunately, his life is not in danger, but the incident is alarming and raises questions about safety in public spaces, which are a recurring topic in the local press.

In addition to the boy's serious injuries, his 15-year-old companion was also injured in the attack. She suffered head injuries from punches and was also taken to hospital. The police have already launched an investigation into attempted murder. The perpetrators, who fled towards the main train station after the attack, have not yet been caught. The police in Braunschweig are asking witnesses to call (0531) 476 25 16 to provide information.

Security situation in Braunschweig and tense feeling

Embedded in this terrible news, the latest crime trends in Germany are an important aspect. According to data from Statista, the police crime statistics (PKS) show a decrease in registered crimes of 1.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year, which is associated with the partial legalization of cannabis in April 2024. However, there are noticeable increases in crimes that affect citizens' sense of security, including brutality and assaults, which are recorded in the PCS as “crimes against personal freedom”.

The likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is particularly higher in city states such as Bremen, Berlin or Hamburg. The clearance rate, which indicates the percentage of crimes solved, was 58% in 2024, which corresponds to a slight decrease. These numbers repeatedly call into question the current security of citizens and make it clear that, despite progress in crime statistics, there is still a need for action to strengthen the feeling of security in cities.

The role of public transport

In the area surrounding the incident, it is noticeable that Braunschweig relies on a broad public transport network that is operated by Braunschweiger Verkehrs AG (BSVAG). Various trams and buses run regularly at the Hauptbahnhof stop, including the Tramino models or the NGT8D vehicles from Alstom and Bombardier. Despite this modern transport infrastructure, the feeling of safety in public transport remains a controversial issue.

The city has invested heavily in security at train stations and stops, but the events of that night are thought-provoking and show that more needs to be done to protect citizens. After this cruel act, it is even more important that the city administration, the police and the citizens pull together to increase safety in public spaces.

The people of Braunschweig and the local authorities are called upon to find safe solutions. It remains to be hoped that the perpetrators will be caught quickly and such incidents can be avoided in the future.

For further information and comprehensive reporting on the incidents in Braunschweig, you can find the articles at NDR, Lars Brüggemann and Statista.