Public Transporter safer, darkrooms not

Berlin Police have reported crimes in the first half of 2012. They were down from 250,903 compare to 244,163 in the first half of 2011 - a fall of 2.7%. Crimes on public transport fell by 50% to 5,067. Street theft was also down 27% to 2,656 cases but pick pocketing was up 23% to 7,312. Don't take your wallet into a darkroom, leave it in a cloakroom or in the care of a bartender. Thieves even take wallets chained to your trousers. They also report on "Rohheit" crimes. My dictionary says that's barbarism, bestiality or brutality. I'm not sure if bestiality is a crime in Berlin - not that I approve.

Whatever it is Rohheit is up 3.5% to 31,893 and includes serious violence (up 7% to 5,553) and robbery up 5% to 3,264. Flat break ins were 4,700 (2011:4,416), house break ins 1,219 (828). Berlin police will intensify their campaigns against these.

Don't forget, phone 110 in emergency and more tips in German on protecting your home here. http://www.berlin.de/polizei/presse-fahndung/archiv/372801/index.html