Police - Timber theft in Brandenburg has increased significantly
Significantly more cases of wood theft than in previous years have recently been reported in Brandenburg. "In the current year, we expect an upward trend compared to the previous year," explained a police spokeswoman when asked by the German Press Agency. Last year, the number of reported cases had already risen to 284. According to the police, only 191 timber thefts were reported in 2021.
The amount of damage in particular was higher last year than it had been for a long time, according to the police. In total, wood worth 700,000 euros was stolen in the reported crimes. In comparison: almost 290 cases were reported in 2018, but the property damage caused was comparatively low at 400,000 euros. "For the period 2018 to 2021, there was an overall downward trend in the number of cases. In 2022, a significant increase was recorded again," the spokesperson summarized.
The spokesperson emphasized that she did not want to comment on possible explanations. For example, the development of timber market prices or the population's loss of purchasing power would have to be taken into account. However, energy prices have risen sharply on average in recent years, while at the same time more and more people are heating all or part of their homes with wood-burning stoves. Firewood has become increasingly expensive, and in some federal states more thefts of felled wood from forests are being reported. This is particularly the case in federal states with large forests, where it is less noticeable if someone loads up a trailer at night.
According to the police, the risk of being discovered and punished is relatively high. Last year, 37 percent of cases were solved.
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- The increase in timber theft in Brandenburg has raised concerns in Potsdam, as the German Press Agency reported.
- The police in Brandenburg are actively investigating criminal cases of wood theft, resulting in a 37% solution rate last year.
- Despite the sharp rise in energy prices and the popularity of wood-burning stoves, perpetrators of wood theft in Brandenburg's vast forests face a significant risk of detection and prosecution.
Source: www.stern.de
