Young robbers in Bremen: escape, crime and the search for perspectives

Young robbers in Bremen: escape, crime and the search for perspectives

The ice breaks in the Bremen district as reporter János Kereszti spends a year examining the life stories of young criminals. They are referred to by the police as “young robbers,” and their stories are not only tragic but also insightful for understanding crime in the context of migration. Kereszti will meet Mohamed (20) and Jawad (19), both from North Africa, in spring 2024. These young men have made a long and arduous journey through Europe without family support and now have to come to terms with their criminal past.

Both were convicted of theft, attempted grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery with weapons. The “young robbers” engage in some form of assault by attacking people and stealing valuables such as gold chains, watches and cell phones. Mohamed talks about poverty and lack of prospects in his home country, while the two willingly answer for their actions. After a year of intensive research, Kereszti and his team are optimistic that they have gathered enough material for a comprehensive publication. But halftime and difficulties are not far away: Mohamed is arrested again shortly before the interview because he is said to have stolen a cell phone from a girl.

Background to juvenile crime

The stories of Mohamed and Jawad are part of a larger phenomenon: According to bpb.de, migrants tend to have a higher crime rate than locals, but this is often due to age and gender composition as well as stressful living conditions. While a small proportion commit crimes, adults with access to the labor market rarely commit crimes. An increase in juvenile crime has been observed since 2022, especially among 12 to 15 year olds. The high crime rates among young people with a migrant background are often the result of harsher social conditions and inadequate integration.

Police crime statistics show that in 2024 around 41.8 percent of suspects came from abroad. This raises questions: Are migrants actually criminals per se, or are they simply receiving more attention? The reality is complex because, according to mediendienst-integration.de, a recently completed study shows that migration has not increased crime in Germany in the last 20 years. On the contrary: While the number of foreigners has increased by over 70 percent since 2005, the number of crimes without violations of immigration law has fallen by around 16 percent.

The look into the future

Back to Mohamed and Jawad: They meet Kereszti again in the summer of 2025, but they are upset about the public perception of their past. Media coverage of migrant crime has fueled public fears and concerns about integration. The perpetration of migrants is often disproportionately perceived, which leads to stigmatization and makes the integration process even more difficult. Social tensions and violent conflicts, be they in communal accommodation or in urban areas, increase the risk of crime among refugees, an issue that cannot be ignored.

As Mohamed and Jawad try to find their place in this complex society, how to deal with rising youth crime remains unclear. In order to promote positive coexistence, adequately equipping schools and daycare centers could be the key to long-term integration. A good hand in social education could reduce the population's prejudices and significantly improve the chances of young migrants.

All in all, the fates of these two young men show the urgent need for a rethink in migration and integration policy. A healthy society also requires understanding and acknowledging the realities of life of all its members.