Lower Saxony’s popular bathing spots have seen a dramatic rise in crime, sparking concern among politicians. Sexual offenses almost doubled, rising from 59 in 2023 to 116 in 2024, according to the Lower Saxony state government’s reply to a query from AfD MP Stephan Bothe.
Out of the 96 suspects, 40 were foreigners—around 41.7%—despite foreigners making up 13.7% of the state’s population.
Violent crimes also increased dramatically, rising from 171 incidents in 2023 to 376 in 2024. Overall, authorities recorded 1,286 offenses at bathing spots, up from 780 the previous year, with the number of suspects climbing from 384 to 702.
Among foreign suspects, Syrians were the most numerous, with 43 accused last year, up from 15 in 2023.
The authorities claim that a link between the proportion of foreign residents and the crime rate “cannot be derived in this context.”
Stephan Bothe criticized the state government for what he called a “denial of reality,” describing the current figures as taking on “absurd traits.”
He also noted that citizens with dual citizenship are counted solely as German in official statistics. He called for stricter law enforcement and deportations to restore safety at public swimming areas.
