BERLIN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- An average of 290 police officers were victims of violence each day in Germany last year, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Registered acts of violence against police officers reached a record high of 46,218 in 2023, an 8-percent increase from 2022, marking the most significant rise since 2017, the report said.
"Attacks on firefighters and rescue workers have also continued to rise. The emergency services were threatened, attacked, pelted with bottles, stones and fireworks," Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said.
The report revealed 687 cases of violence against the fire brigade in 2023, a 5.7-percent rise from 2022, with 1,069 victims, up 13.7 percent. Meanwhile, other rescue services reported 2,050 cases of violence, involving 2,902 victims.
"It is alarming to see the hatred and violence directed at emergency services, who are committed to our safety," Faeser said. "These crimes cannot be justified and must face severe legal consequences." Enditem■