Escalation at the Martini market: 22-year-old hits 57-year-old in the face

Escalation at the Martini market: 22-year-old hits 57-year-old in the face

A relaxed evening at the Martinimarkt in Uelzen ended in an ugly incident for a 57-year-old man from the Uelzen district on October 18, 2025. At around 7:15 p.m. there was an argument between him and a 22-year-old on the Albrecht Thaer site, which turned out to be reckless. The older man had asked the younger man to put out his joint, which heated things up considerably. Feeling humiliated, the 22-year-old deliberately kicked the 57-year-old in the face, causing a cut on his chin and a broken tooth. When the police arrived, the attacker had already disappeared, but was later identified and met. He is facing expulsion from the Martinimarkt and criminal proceedings for grievous bodily harm [az-online.de].

The incidents at the Martini market are not an isolated case. On the same weekend, several aggressive clashes occurred in Uelzen and Bad Bevensen. Another incident took place on Friday evening on Mühlenstrasse, where a 23-year-old attacked a 37-year-old with an irritant after an insult occurred. There was also a brutal incident in Bad Bevensen in which five teenagers and young adults attacked a 51-year-old after he warned them about damaging a toilet truck. Criminal proceedings were also initiated here, as uelzener-nachrichten.com reports.

An increase in acts of violence

These incidents fit into a worrying trend. Statistics show that the number of violent crimes in Germany has been rising again since 2021, after reaching a low of around 165,000 cases during the corona pandemic. According to the current figures, around 217,000 violent crimes were registered in 2024 - the highest number since 2007. Although violent crimes do not account for more than 4% of all crimes recorded by the police, they have a significant impact on the population's sense of security, as statista.com explains.

A 2023 study also shows that around 2,740 acts of violence against emergency workers were recorded. The proportion of young violent perpetrators has increased, and it cannot be ruled out that economic insecurities and social pressures contribute to this increase. A survey in May 2024 found that 94% of Germans see violence and aggression against police and emergency services as a major problem.

In view of these developments, it is to be hoped that those responsible will soon take effective measures to get the violent scenario under control and to offer citizens a safe environment.