Is Luxembourg really one of the most dangerous countries in Europe?

More than 54,000 criminal offences were recorded by the police in 2022, at a rate of nearly 150 per day. These figures are up 27% compared to 2021, with burglaries and thefts largely accounting for the rise.

So how safe is Luxembourg? It's a polarising question, especially in the Chamber of Deputies, where the far-right ADR on Wednesday organised a debate on crime in the country.

ADR deputy Fred Keup read out a news article from the end of April, in which a man was stabbed in the stomach after being attacked by a group of 20 young men in the capital.

Keup described Luxembourg as "one of the most dangerous countries in Europe," with a rise in murders and manslaughters and the existence of "brutal youth gangs."

Green MP Stéphanie Empain was not convinced, saying: "We still live in a safe country. I oppose this sensationalism."

Keup also accused Henri Kox, the Minister of Homeland Security, of concealing sensitive information on crime. The accusation was vehemently refuted by Kox.

Nevertheless, the deputies did agree on the fact that crime has increased in recent years, and that this will need to be countered. While the Greens and Left Party generally emphasised the prevention of crime, the ADR and CSV preferred to concentrate on the short-term fight against criminals. For Léon Gloden, CSV deputy, it starts with police equipment: "We need better equipment for our police, such as tasers and bodycams, for example."

A recent body camera trial phase was carried out, but the government is still struggling to pass a bill on the issue, the opposition MP criticised.

Read also: A thorough look at crime in Luxembourg

Police concerned

The DP is also keen to take concerns from the ranks of the police seriously, explains Claude Lamberty: "How often do we hear from the field: 'We knew who it was, we caught them' and shortly after, they were at it again. It's not motivating for police officers. And it's certainly not a deterrent. What are we going to do about that?"

The DP MP proposed the possibility of rapid trials after arrest for various offences.

During the debate, many aspects were discussed. Why is drug-related crime more targeted than financial crime, for example, wondered Nathalie Oberweis, MP for the Left Party: "Because it is probably more white men in suits who are involved in it."

For Keup, the population has not been kept informed of the rise in crime: "In the eyes of many people and also of the police, it is a fact that the government covers up crime so as not to disturb the population."

The Minister of Homeland Security, Henri Kox, categorically opposed Keup's assertion.