A violent incident in August in the centre of the capital reignited the debate about safety in Luxembourg-Ville. Police statistics show significant increases in assaults, violent thefts and car break-ins, but also a decline in residential burglaries. While the number of police officers has increased by 32% since 2021, authorities acknowledge that the problem has not been completely resolved.

(Staff: Luxembourg / Justice & Public Safety)

A serious incident in August on Grand-Rue, in the centre of Luxembourg-Ville, brought the debate about safety in the capital back into focus. A woman was the victim of a violent assault in the middle of the night, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the offences included rape and attempted murder. A 40-year-old man with no fixed address, of Polish nationality, was arrested. The case sparked outrage on social media, particularly because passers-by did not intervene to help the victim. At the same time, many internet users expressed concern that the capital is becoming increasingly unsafe.

But what do the official figures actually say? The police provided data to colleagues at Luxemburger Wort, and these figures show a real increase in crime in several areas.

Assaults and thefts rise sharply

The number of assaults and other bodily injuries has increased steadily in recent years. While 671 such cases were recorded in the capital in 2021, police reported more than 900 last year. Violent thefts followed the same trend, rising from 324 cases in 2021 to 434 in 2025.

The most spectacular increase, however, can be seen in reported thefts. In just four years, their number more than doubled, from just over 3,600 in 2021 to 7,704 last year.

Another phenomenon that concerns the authorities is car break-ins. According to police spokesman Frank Stoltz, this type of offence increased by more than 130% between 2021 and 2025, from 583 to 1,352 cases.

Numerous arrests, but also exceptions

Not only has the number of offences increased, but so has the number of arrests. This year alone, 300 arrests were made in the “Capital” region—which includes Luxembourg-Ville and the municipality of Hesperange—of which 72 took place in August alone. Most were related to theft, but also to drug-related crime and burglaries.

Mayor Lydie Polfer (DP) acknowledged in May that this was a “daily problem”, pointing in particular to the increase in pickpocketing on public transport, on trams and at stations. An awareness campaign was launched together with the police.

There is also some better news. Residential burglaries have declined. Last year, 1,333 cases were recorded, around 60 fewer than five years earlier. After a peak of more than 1,700 cases in 2023, the number has fallen significantly over the past two years.

Luxembourg increasingly important on the map of international drug trafficking

Another sensitive issue concerns drug-related offences. Although the number of recorded cases has fallen, police warn that this does not represent a real decline in the phenomenon. “We cannot speak in any way of a reduction in this type of crime,” says Frank Stoltz. “It is rather a development similar to that at national level.”

At national level, two distinct trends are emerging: fewer recorded cases involving drug trafficking, possession and consumption, but at the same time Luxembourg is becoming increasingly important as a hub for international drug trafficking. Evidence includes numerous drug seizures at the Findel Airport Cargo-Center and the striking discovery of cocaine in a compactor cylinder at a farm in Bilsdorf, behind which a Colombian drug lord is allegedly suspected of being involved.

Increases at national level

The situation is not better at national level either. The police activity report presented in April shows that the number of assaults and bodily injuries increased from nearly 3,000 to more than 4,100 between 2021 and 2025, while the number of thefts rose from 10,900 to more than 20,000.

Gare district remains in the spotlight

The police do not provide a breakdown by district. “Such a breakdown does not necessarily make sense, if only because of the relatively short distances between districts such as Gare, Hollerich and Bonnevoie,” Stoltz explains. Nevertheless, the fact that the area around the railway station is a hotspot is not surprising.

Last year, after meetings with residents of all 24 districts of the city, Mayor Lydie Polfer said that “the feeling of safety was a major concern in all districts” and that “problems are shifting, due to free public transport, especially along the tram line”. She acknowledged that the police presence had been reinforced, but that “it is still not enough”.

More police officers, but the future is uncertain

The number of officers in the Capital region has increased considerably. On 1 January 2026, there were 355 police officers, compared with 269 in January 2021—an increase of 32%. This year, the police can recruit around 200 new officers, with the recruitment process beginning in October. It remains to be seen how many will be assigned to the capital, given that other regions also need personnel.

Conclusion

Safety in Luxembourg-Ville is a complex issue. On the one hand, the statistics show worrying increases in assaults, violent thefts, thefts in general and car break-ins. On the other hand, residential burglaries are declining and the number of police officers has increased significantly. Nevertheless, the feeling of insecurity persists, particularly around the railway station, and the authorities acknowledge that current efforts are not yet sufficient. The debate over safety in the capital remains open, and the figures do not provide a simple answer.