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Drone-related crime on the rise in Germany, privacy violations most common
🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

Drone-related crime on the rise in Germany, privacy violations most common

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Police in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, registered a significant increase in crimes involving drones, with 36 offenses reported last year.
  • The most common offenses involved violations of privacy, such as using drones to photograph private residences.
  • Authorities are concerned about the rising trend, while some political factions are calling for expanded police powers to counter drone threats.

Police in the German state of Baden-Württemberg have recorded a notable rise in criminal offenses involving drones. Last year, authorities registered 36 such crimes, an increase from 28 in the previous year and 17 in 2023. The Interior Ministry anticipates further growth for the current year, based on data from January to June.

The most frequent offenses involved the violation of privacy, with drones being used to photograph private homes. The ministry's response to an inquiry from the SPD parliamentary group detailed 15 such cases last year. Additionally, drone interference with air traffic has become a recurring issue, with 11 cases recorded in 2025, slightly more than in 2024.

Despite the increasing number of incidents, less than half of these drone-related offenses were solved in 2025, with the clearance rate at 47.2 percent. The Interior Ministry projects a continued increase in drone-related crimes for 2026, citing preliminary data from the first half of the year.

The state government must equip the police with the necessary capabilities to defend against drones effectively.

— Boris WeirauchSpokesperson for the SPD faction on domestic policy, advocating for increased police powers.

In response to the growing threat, the SPD faction in the state parliament is advocating for enhanced police authority to combat drones. Boris Weirauch, the faction's spokesperson for domestic policy, stated that the state government must equip the police with the necessary capabilities to defend against drones effectively. This includes establishing a broad legal framework that allows police to shoot down drones legally and efficiently.

However, the Interior Ministry does not see an immediate need for legislative changes. It asserts that police already possess the authority to detect and act against drones posing a threat to public safety. Regional police departments can request assistance from the drone competence and defense center of the police helicopter squadron. Responsibilities for drone incidents vary by location, with federal police handling drones over airports and train lines, and the Bundeswehr responsible for airspace over its own properties.

The police have the possibility to detect drones and take action against them if they pose a danger to public safety.

— Interior MinistryResponding to an SPD inquiry about the legal framework for drone intervention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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