MesserMonitor statistics place published knife attacks, knife threats, robbery and extortion involving a knife in their regional and temporal context. The federal-state comparison shows case counts and cases per 100,000 residents. Further analysis shows absolute case numbers by period, case type, level of use and reported injury outcome.
Comparison year2026
Federal states compared · 2026
Cases through October 24, 2026
Comparison of published cases by federal state with population, immigration history and people seeking protection.
Population Immigration history People seeking protectionMesserMonitor cases
Baden-Württemberg
11,245,909 Population
13.47 %32.06 %3.40 %
360 Cases · 3.20 Cases per 100,000 residents
Bavaria
13,260,815 Population
15.88 %26.18 %2.98 %
322 Cases · 2.43 Cases per 100,000 residents
Berlin
3,701,307 Population
4.43 %35.45 %5.21 %
132 Cases · 3.57 Cases per 100,000 residents
Brandenburg
2,552,851 Population
3.06 %10.07 %2.96 %
73 Cases · 2.86 Cases per 100,000 residents
Bremen
706,901 Population
0.85 %40.03 %6.62 %
59 Cases · 8.35 Cases per 100,000 residents
Hamburg
1,869,801 Population
2.24 %35.51 %4.12 %
53 Cases · 2.83 Cases per 100,000 residents
Hesse
6,281,600 Population
7.52 %33.51 %4.42 %
303 Cases · 4.82 Cases per 100,000 residents
Lower Saxony
8,002,922 Population
9.58 %22.62 %4.24 %
197 Cases · 2.46 Cases per 100,000 residents
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
1,567,290 Population
1.88 %8.61 %3.34 %
33 Cases · 2.11 Cases per 100,000 residents
North Rhine-Westphalia
17,999,392 Population
21.55 %30.14 %4.40 %
613 Cases · 3.41 Cases per 100,000 residents
Rhineland-Palatinate
4,124,910 Population
4.94 %25.87 %3.51 %
112 Cases · 2.72 Cases per 100,000 residents
Saarland
1,008,047 Population
1.21 %24.11 %5.35 %
9 Cases · 0.89 Cases per 100,000 residents
Saxony
4,024,188 Population
4.82 %10.49 %3.41 %
113 Cases · 2.81 Cases per 100,000 residents
Saxony-Anhalt
2,121,638 Population
2.54 %9.95 %3.69 %
78 Cases · 3.68 Cases per 100,000 residents
Schleswig-Holstein
2,959,859 Population
3.54 %19.29 %4.03 %
68 Cases · 2.30 Cases per 100,000 residents
Thuringia
2,081,288 Population
2.49 %10.19 %3.49 %
57 Cases · 2.74 Cases per 100,000 residents
Analysis and result
The figures are based on publicly reported cases found through the evaluated sources.
Social context
Each point represents a federal state. Its position connects the selected social indicator with published cases per 100,000 residents.
Area statesCity states
Result for the selected indicatorData table and sources
A knife was displayed during an altercation outside a fast-food restaurant in Büdelsdorf on 1 October; pepper spray was also reportedly used. The incident was part of a series of disputes in which five people sustained minor injuries overall.
A knife and a stick were used in a dispute between two relatives in Schwäbisch Gmünd. A 40-year-old man suffered serious knife injuries, while a 41-year-old man was injured at least slightly.
A 20-year-old suffered a life-threatening stab wound to his leg in an attack in Hamm. He was no longer in life-threatening condition after surgery, and a homicide unit is investigating.
Two men threatened a 21-year-old with a knife in Alsbach and demanded that he withdraw money. He escaped, and an initial search did not find the suspects.
In Berlin-Neukölln, five teenagers and young adults allegedly stopped a 26-year-old food delivery worker, and a folding knife was held to his neck. Four suspects were detained and later released.
During a police operation in Dresden-Prohlis, a 51-year-old man drew a knife and then attacked officers. An officer shot him, leaving him seriously injured.
After a dispute in Lübeck-Kücknitz, a 59-year-old man allegedly threatened to use a machete against neighbours. Police arrested him without resistance.
After an argument in a restaurant at Munich's Karlsplatz, a 63-year-old man threatened a 26-year-old man with a pocketknife. Police arrested the older man; the person threatened was unharmed.
Three attackers took a 22-year-old man's shoulder bag in Dresden-Johannstadt and injured him with a knife. Criminal police are investigating an aggravated robbery.
Following an initially verbal dispute in Munich, a 35-year-old man allegedly held a knife toward several people. A 46-year-old woman reported a minor injury from blunt force; no knife injury is established.
In Aurich, a 47-year-old man reportedly threatened another man with a knife, then approached police officers with the knife drawn. Pepper spray was used, leaving him and three officers with minor injuries.
A man and his companion allegedly took cash from an 18-year-old at knifepoint in Augsburg's university district. Police arrested the man, while the woman escaped.
During an argument in Wiesbaden-Dotzheim, an unknown man repeatedly struck another man in the face and then threatened him with a knife. The attacker fled after a third person intervened.
