Despite regular incidents of drinking bouts, fights, and drug-related crimes, Chemnitz, a city in Sachsen, Germany, remains a safe haven. Notwithstanding the constant crime reports, it has surprisingly been voted as one of the safest cities in Germany.
In a survey conducted by Allianz Direct Insurance, it compared crime rates in major German cities with over 200,000 residents. Interestingly, Chemnitz, with 244,000 inhabitants, secured the 10th position, making it the only city from Saxony to be in the top 10.
“Chemnitz, as a new entrant in the top 10, can now be proud to be classified amongst Germany’s safest cities,” stated the alliance.
In 2022, Chemnitz recorded 8,261 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Comparatively, Munich, which won for the fifth consecutive year, recorded 5,824 cases per 100,000 residents.
Only nine other major cities outperformed Chemnitz. The cities ranking ahead of Chemnitz in ascending order are Stuttgart (9), Braunschweig (8), Oberhausen (7), Nuremberg (6), Bielefeld (5), and Mainz (4). Wiesbaden (3) and the two Bavarian cities, Augsburg (2) and Munich (1), stood on the podium this year.
Did you know? Chemnitz was first documented in 1143. It is the third-largest city in Saxony and was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2025
A New Police Task Force in the Center
Even being one of the country’s safest cities, Chemnitz’s city center is still considered a hotspot. Despite frequent police patrolling and public order office surveillance, the area between shops and ice cream parlors often witnesses escalation.
The first set of traders have already started to retreat from this area. Local residents are feeling insecure and demanding stricter measures such as a weapon ban zone, a strict alcohol prohibition, or surveillance cameras.
In response to these concerns, the city introduced an “Operational Task Force” (OEG) at the end of the year. This unit primarily patrols on foot in the city center, aiming to ensure enhanced safety.
