Libyans without a ticket on the ICE: Arrested in Harburg with an arrest warrant!

Libyans without a ticket on the ICE: Arrested in Harburg with an arrest warrant!

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, a 31-year-old Libyan citizen was encountered by a train attendant without a ticket on the ICE train on the route from Cologne to Hamburg. This happened around 3:30 p.m. when the train arrived at Harburg station. The man refused to identify himself in order to collect the fare, so the federal police were called to assist. During the check, they discovered that there was an arrest warrant against him from the Dresden public prosecutor's office. The wanted man had been wanted since August 2024 for theft with weapons and had not paid a fine of around 1,100 euros, which is why a substitute prison sentence of 50 days awaited him. A doctor finally confirmed that the man was fit for custody. After the police measures were completed, the Libyan was transferred to a correctional facility, reports Süderelbe24.

But what exactly is the significance of this incident? In recent years, the development of crime in Germany has been a hotly debated topic. As the Police Crime Statistics (PKS) from the Federal Criminal Police Office shows, there was a slight decrease in registered crimes by 1.7% to around 5.84 million cases in 2024. The majority of crimes such as theft and property crimes were often blamed. This shows that not all crime is the same, and many areas fly under the radar. However, an increase in crimes that affect people's sense of security continues to be observed; This is where the statistics about the dark field studies come in, as listed at Statista.

The challenges of crime statistics

The police crime statistics only look at the cases that are reported to the police, so many crimes are not taken into account. Rapes in particular are reported less frequently than burglaries. Trust in the police and the reporting behavior of victims and witnesses are crucial for detecting crimes. In 2024, the clearance rate was 58%, which represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year. At the same time, the number of suspects fell by around 3%, while the proportion of non-German suspects rose to 41.8%.

The incident involving the 31-year-old Libyan sheds light on the challenges authorities face when it comes to criminals. While most arrests arise from obvious violations, such as driving without a ticket, they often mask more complex criminal activity. The fear of rising crime rates, especially in larger cities, makes it clear that the population's sense of security is under great pressure. North Rhine-Westphalia, which includes Cologne, recorded the highest crime figures in Germany in 2023, presenting another challenge for the police.

In conclusion, it can be said that the incident in the ICE is not just a mere arrest, but is also to some extent exemplary of the current challenges of combating crime in Germany. While the overall number of recorded crimes is falling, the security situation remains the focus of social debates - an issue that affects us all. The authorities are required to both protect the public and understand and combat the complex background of crime.