Staying safe in Berlin and what to do if something happens

The Berlin police describe pickpockets as often working in groups, with one person distracting you while another takes your wallet or phone. They operate where many people are close together: on public transport and at stations, at cash machines, in supermarkets, restaurants and crowds. Tricks the police list include:

• Dirtying you with ice cream, ketchup or a drink, then "helping" you clean up.
• Jostling or crowding you, for example on escalators, stairs or in a busy train door.
• Asking for change, directions or a donation, often with a clipboard or map held over your bag.
• Overly friendly contact such as hugging or dancing.

To prevent it, carry only the cash and cards you need, keep valuables in an inside or front pocket, wear bags with the zip towards your body and keep them closed, carry a backpack in front in crowds, and do not leave bags or phones unattended on café tables. The Berlin, Brandenburg and federal police run a prevention week on pickpocketing from 5 to 9 October 2026.

The Berlin police recorded about 28,000 bicycle thefts in 2024 and assume the real number is considerably higher. Their advice:

• Lock the frame and at least one wheel to a fixed object, such as a bike stand or lamp post, with a high-quality lock; keep the lock off the ground so it is harder to attack with tools.
• Keep a bike passport (Fahrradpass) with the frame number, make, model, colour, distinguishing features and photos. Without the frame number, a recovered bike can rarely be returned to you.
• The police offer free bike marking with an individually numbered sticker registered to you, through the prevention office of the State Criminal Police (LKA).
• If your bike is stolen, report it with the frame number, watch online marketplaces where stolen bikes often reappear, and tell your insurer if your household contents insurance covers bikes.

See the cycling guide for parking and traffic rules.

Fake police officers or bank staff. Callers claim that burglars are targeting your street, that your bank account is under attack or that a bank employee is corrupt, and offer to "secure" your money or valuables. The display may show a number that looks official, such as 110 with an area code. The Berlin police state that they will never ask you by phone about your savings or where you keep valuables, and never collect money or valuables for safekeeping. Hang up, then call 110 yourself. Ask anyone at your door who claims to be from the police to show their ID card, and do not let yourself be pressured into secrecy.

"Hello Mum, this is my new number." In messenger scams, someone pretends to be your child or another relative with a new phone and asks for an urgent transfer. Call the person on their old, known number before you save a new one or pay anything. Never pass on verification codes sent to you by SMS, turn on two-step verification in your messenger, and limit who can see your profile picture.

Street scams. The police also warn about the shell game (Hütchenspiel), in which players in the crowd are part of the team, and about collectors for supposed charities who use the moment to steal.

Renting a flat brings its own scams, such as fake landlords asking for a deposit before a viewing; see the guide on rental scams.

The Berlin police's "Stay safe" information includes advice on knockout drops: keep your drink with you, do not accept open drinks from strangers, and look after your friends. If you or someone you are with suddenly feels very unwell, confused or dizzy, get help from staff or call 112. For harassment in public, the police advise speaking directly to bystanders and asking for help.

Attacks, threats, insults or damage because of someone's origin, skin colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or social status are hate crimes. You can report them like any other crime: call 110 in an emergency, or use the online station. In addition:

• The Berlin police have contacts for prejudice-motivated crime (Beauftragter für Gruppenbezogene Menschenfeindlichkeit), including dedicated contacts for LGBTIQ people on (030) 4664-979444 and for antisemitism. They can advise victims and witnesses and refer you to support organisations.
• The public prosecutor's Central Office for Hate Crime (Zentralstelle Hasskriminalität) also accepts criminal complaints directly.
• ReachOut offers free counselling for people affected by racist, right-wing and antisemitic violence and threats, including racial profiling, on (030) 695 683 39 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00), with information in many languages.
• The Berliner Register document incidents across all districts, including ones that are not criminal offences, and accept reports online.

For discrimination that is not a crime, for example when renting a flat or by an authority, see the guide on legal help.

• WEISSER RING victims' helpline: 116 006, every day 7:00 to 22:00, free and anonymous, plus online counselling and local volunteers in Berlin.
• Opferhilfe Berlin: professional, confidential and free counselling for victims, witnesses and relatives, whatever the offence, immediately after a crime or months later, on (030) 395 28 67; a separate service accompanies witnesses on court days.
• Charité Violence Protection Outpatient Clinic (Gewaltschutzambulanz): free forensic documentation of injuries after violence, usable later as evidence in court, without a police report. Staff are bound by medical confidentiality. Appointments Monday to Friday 8:30 to 15:00 on (030) 450 570 270.
• Domestic violence: the BIG Hotline on (030) 611 03 00 is available around the clock, confidential and anonymous on request, with interpreting if needed. The national helpline for women affected by violence is 116 016.

See also the guide on mental health support in Berlin if the experience continues to affect you.

Items found in the street, on public transport or handed in at a police station or Bürgeramt end up at the Central Lost Property Office (Zentrales Fundbüro), Platz der Luftbrücke 6, 12101 Berlin, phone (030) 90277-3101. You can search or file a loss report online. It usually takes at least three working days for items to arrive there, so the office asks you to wait a week before enquiring.