A wave of juvenile crime has gripped Leipzig, Germany, with a gang of children—some of migrant background—committing violent offenses across multiple districts. Police have expressed their frustration at being restricted due to the perpetrators’ ages, with many of the ringleaders just 11 years old.
According to authorities, the gang consists of up to 14 members, with a changing roster. The twins leading the group are from South Sudan and hold German citizenship, while other members have Chechen roots. Most of the children attend school sporadically, if at all, and their main gathering point is a playground in Grünau. A police official described the young offenders as exhibiting a high potential for violence, escalating from minor scuffles to using knives, pepper spray, and other weapons.
Since the start of the crime spree in autumn 2025, the gang has been linked to over 150 offenses, ranging from theft and assaults to attacks on seniors. Victims have included students from a local Montessori school, who were threatened and robbed while traveling to and from school. A business owner reported incidents in Leipzig-Grünau where perpetrators used violence and repeatedly ignored bans from private premises.
So far, only one gang member, a 15-year-old, has been placed in temporary pre-trial detention, beginning on December 10th. Police emphasize that their hands are tied by laws which only allow criminal liability from age 14, making it difficult to prosecute the youngest offenders.
The unrest comes amid growing concerns over migrant-related crime in Leipzig. In December, a 27-year-old man of Syrian nationality was denied entry to a nightclub because the venue was full. Minutes later, he returned and pulled an AK-47 rifle from his jacket.
The individual, known to the security services for prior offences, was released on bail while the investigation continues. While no shots were fired, the case highlights growing concerns over public safety and violent acts involving migrants in the city.
