17-year-olds brutally attacked in Cloppenburg-witnesses wanted!

17-year-olds brutally attacked in Cloppenburg-witnesses wanted!

A shocking attack occurred on Friday evening in Cloppenburg, in which a 17-year-old was seriously injured. The incident happened around 10 p.m. on the site of a former landfill in the Stapelfeld district. The young person was traveling with a well -known when two unknown men suddenly appeared and brutally attacked them. After the blows, the injured man managed to get to the hospital independently. The police have already received an investigation into dangerous bodily harm, while the motive for the attack is still in the dark. In this context, the police ask for information from possible witnesses to identify the perpetrators and to be responsible. This could prove to be necessary, because similar incidents are not an isolated case in the region.

A look back into the recent past shows that Cloppenburg has to deal with youth crime. On August 28, 2024, there was a dangerous bodily harm, in which three young people between the ages of 16 and 19 a 60-year-old man pulled from his bike and brutally reported, as [press portal]. Such incidents are alarming and leading to the discussion about youth crime in Germany, which, according to [Statista] in 2024, reached a maximum with around 13,800 cases. This means more than a doubling compared to 2016.

youth crime in focus

The increase in youth clubs, especially among young people between the ages of 14 and 17 and adolescents up to 20, has triggered worrying discussions. One reason for this development could be the psychological stress by corona pandemic and specific risk factors in young people who are looking for protection. A look at the statistics shows that the number of young suspects for all crimes in 2024 was reduced by around 6 percent to around 452,000 - a noticeable decline compared to the over 690,000 in 1998.

It is particularly noticeable that youth crime mainly starts from male perpetrators. In 2024, almost three quarters of the suspects were male. It remains to be clarified how the challenges should be dealt with- from tougher punishments to increased prevention from child and youth welfare. This would be necessary to avoid future crimes and to offer young people a better way.

Even if the acts in favor of a fundamental discussion about youth law and the social conditions that lead to such incidents must not be considered alone, it is important not to close the eyes from reality. How will the police react? And what can we do as a society to strengthen the feeling of security of our youth?