Rape in Lehrte: 40-year-old in custody after escaping on an e-scooter

Rape in Lehrte: 40-year-old in custody after escaping on an e-scooter

The population in the Hanover region is in shock after a young woman in Lehrte became the victim of a brutal rape on Sunday evening, June 24, 2025. As NDR reports, the attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. when the woman was approached by an unknown man on an e-scooter.

The perpetrator, a 40-year-old man from Hämelerwald, turned himself in to the police the following Monday. He himself assumed that the attacker's description matched him. As a result, he was taken into custody because the Hildesheim public prosecutor's office applied for an arrest warrant due to this risk of escape. However, the man denies having committed the crime.

Assault and search measures

The crime took place on Hubertusstrasse in Hämelerwald. According to the press release from the Hanover police department and the Hildesheim public prosecutor's office, the woman was pushed into the bushes where the violent act was carried out before the perpetrator fled on his e-scooter towards the train tracks. Despite extensive searches, the attacker was initially able to escape. The police then increased their presence both in the forest and in the district to ensure the safety of residents.

The investigation was taken over by the Central Criminal Police Service in Hanover, and the suspect was scheduled to appear before the magistrate on June 25, 2025. While the investigation continues, the public remains concerned about this act of violence.

A shocking phenomenon

Unfortunately, these incidents are not isolated. Violence against women is a widespread problem in Germany. Statistics show that in 2023, around 181,000 of the approximately 256,000 victims of domestic violence were female, and almost 100% of victims of sexual offenses are women. According to Statista, the proportion of women committing serious crimes such as rape is almost 94%. These alarming figures illustrate the urgency of the issue, especially since many crimes remain secret and often go unreported.

It is particularly tragic that many women feel unsafe in public spaces, especially in the dark. This is not only a personal problem, but also a social problem, which is exacerbated by the high number of unreported acts of violence.

Aid organizations and advice centers, such as the “Violence Against Women” helpline, offer support for those affected. In 2023 there were around 86,700 contacts and around 59,000 consultations. However, space in women's shelters often remains limited, which means that not everyone seeking help can find shelter.

The incidents in Lehrte remind us that we as a society must do more to protect women from violence and raise awareness of this issue. The hope remains that the investigation will lead to a fair investigation and that such acts can be prevented in the future.