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Wave of vandalism: manhole covers smash windows in Lüneburg!
There are increasing cases of vandalism involving manhole covers in Lüneburg. The police are investigating a nationwide series of burglaries.
Wave of vandalism: manhole covers smash windows in Lüneburg!
A worrying trend has been observed in the north-east of Lower Saxony in recent weeks: a series of burglaries has caught the attention of the police, who are working hard to solve the problem. Unknown perpetrators have deliberately vandalized shops and public facilities in several districts. They use manhole covers to throw in windows and gain access. The districts of Lüneburg, Harburg, Uelzen and the Heidekreis area are particularly affected, as NDR reports.
Just recently, on Tuesday night, the windows of two pharmacies in Amelinghausen and Wriedel were smashed. While cash was won in Amelinghausen, the attempted theft in Wriedel was unsuccessful. The total damage is estimated at around 2,000 euros. The perpetrators, who are primarily after money and valuables, left a trail of destruction behind them that alerted the police. Investigations are underway and the police stations in the affected areas are working closely together to track down the perpetrators.
Burglaries and vandalism
The criminal activity is not just limited to recent incidents at pharmacies. On the night of September 18, 2025, a jewelry store in Lüneburg experienced an attempted break-in. Unknown perpetrators threw manhole covers against the security window, causing material damage of over 3,000 euros. This is in the context of previous similar acts that the police are also investigating, such as from September 12th to 16th in the region, as Presseportal notes.
The failed crime is also evident in other areas, such as the break-in into an apartment on Naruto Street in Lüneburg, where cash and a laptop were stolen. Burglaries in public facilities such as kindergartens and schools have also been recorded. Such incidents not only result in material damage, but also significantly damage citizens' sense of security.
Current burglary statistics
The current situation reflects a worrying trend that can be observed across Germany. According to Statista, the number of apartment burglaries increased after the corona pandemic. In 2023, around 119,000 thefts in and out of apartments were recorded in Germany, of which around 77,800 were classified as residential burglaries.
The police statistics also show that despite the high numbers, the clearance rate for residential burglaries is only 14.9%. This is alarming, especially considering that the proportion of suspects who are of foreign origin is also increasing. In cities and especially in the federal states of Bremen, Berlin and Hamburg, the risk of a break-in is still high.
The police are calling on the public to immediately report suspicious people or vehicles. Joint vigilance is required to put an end to this series of break-ins and to restore citizens' sense of security.