Break-ins and escapes: Crime raises the alarm in Emsland!

Break-ins and escapes: Crime raises the alarm in Emsland!

Today, October 31, 2025, there are several notable developments from the region that are stirring minds. The Emsland/County of Bentheim police station reports a series of break-ins, property damage and traffic accident escapes that have recently caused a stir. In Haren in particular, a break-in into a residential and commercial building caused a sensation, in which unknown persons caused considerable damage of over 4,000 euros between October 29th and 30th. Boxes of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol and a trailer were stolen, as regionalupdate.de reported.

The police are urgently looking for witnesses in these cases. On October 30th, between 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in Haren, a black Nissan Juke was damaged in a parking lot at the moat while the person responsible tried to get away while maneuvering. A similar situation also occurred in the spa clinic's parking garage in Bad Bentheim: an unknown vehicle hit a parked car there and drove off without liability. The damage here is around 1,500 euros. There are also incidents in Neuenhaus, where a white Kia Niro was damaged in the Aldi parking lot, and in Hoogstede, where the tires on a VW Passat were slashed several times.

Crime statistics as a reflection of the situation

The 2024 police crime statistics offer a broader perspective on crime, showing a slight decrease in crimes of 1.7% to a total of 5,837,445 registered cases. The main reason for this decline is the positive effects of partial cannabis legalization, which led to a significant decrease in cannabis-related crimes. Still, the report also shows that violent crime rose 1.5%, the highest level since 2007. The increase in suspected children and young people is particularly alarming, increasing by 11.3% and 3.8% respectively, according to the analysis by bka.de.

The figures show that a total of 29,014 knife attacks were registered in 2024, a topic that is increasingly coming into the public eye. The data on the clearance rate of around 58% shows that not all crimes can be solved. The report highlights the importance of improving prevention and education, particularly when it comes to juvenile crime.

The weather as an additional challenge

On the weather front, Cologne is rather cool this Halloween, with temperatures around 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. Light winds from the northwest will bring moderate visibility and a low UV index, metoffice.gov.uk reports. On a day like this, the cooler temperatures don't exactly encourage being active outside, which could explain the tendency towards more vandalism in areas like Haren and Bad Bentheim. It is hoped that the citizens of the region will remain vigilant and support the police in their investigations to ensure safety in our cities.

Overall, the situation is tense due to the incidents and statistics mentioned, and it is up to all of us to be vigilant and act proactively to make our living space safer and more livable.