Raid in East Frisia: Police crack down on clan crime!

Raid in East Frisia: Police crack down on clan crime!

In recent years, so-called clan crime has increasingly concerned the security authorities in Germany. The topic is particularly in focus in Lower Saxony due to regular reports from the police. A clear definition comes from the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior: A clan is a criminal group linked by family ties and a common ethnic origin. But this definition is not without controversy. Investigator Thomas Müller from the Bremen police sharply criticizes it because it puts people in a potentially criminal category based solely on family structures and last names. This could have a negative impact on the image of the police and society. Müller suggests using terms such as “organized crime” or “criminal gang” instead to avoid stigmatization and allow room for a more nuanced approach.

In the course of this discussion, the police raids also come into focus. Comprehensive operations recently took place in East Frisia, which were aimed specifically at clan crime and its involvement in the local nightlife. These raids demonstrate the security authorities' determination to combat the threats posed by clans. Interior Minister Herbert Reul from North Rhine-Westphalia described clan crime as a serious threat to social order and referred to the violence that often results from these structures. Mass brawls, jewelry thefts and robberies are just a few examples of how this criminal energy is released, forcing the police to carry out intensive investigations.

The numbers and the social context

The figures on clan crime provide a vivid insight into the situation. In Berlin, over 1,000 crimes related to clans were registered in 2023. This may seem small at first, but it represents around 0.2% of all crimes. There is an alarming trend in North Rhine-Westphalia: the police counted around 7,000 crimes by clans in 2023, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. In order to get these structures under control, there is now a list of 118 surnames in North Rhine-Westphalia that are assigned to suspicious clan families. However, this approach arouses criticism who fear racist stereotypes and call for the term “clan” to be abolished. Of course, many of the estimated 35,000 to 50,000 people who come from these families are not criminals.

In addition, the police category of clan crime is seen as problematic because it leads to people being stigmatized because of their origins. Critics warn of the danger that such labels can lead to far-reaching social prejudices. The BKA's approach of defining clans as informal social organizations with hierarchical structures helps to clarify things, but also means that crime must be organized and systematically recognized.

The security authorities must certainly find a way to meet the need for a sense of security among the population. As part of a zero-tolerance policy in North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, the number of riots fell from 179 in 2018 to just 37 in 2022. This shows that tactical action against these criminal structures can take steps in the right direction, but the road is long and not without stumbling blocks.

In summary, it can be said that the issue of clan crime represents a complex challenge. With a differentiated perspective and a clear approach to action, it could be possible to both address the population's safety concerns and avoid social stigmatization. The battle over definitions is sure to remain a hotly debated topic in the coming years as security agencies seek to optimize their strategies and adapt their operations to reality.

For more information about the ongoing investigations and the social background, you can watch the reporting on NDR here and Deutschlandfunk Read [here](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/clankritikitaet-diskriminierung-deutschland-organisierte- criminalitaet-100.html).