This European City Became the Epicenter of Gun Crime: Rating of the Most Dangerous Cities

When we talk about Europe, images of cozy streets, ancient landmarks, and safety usually come to mind. However, the reality of recent years has turned out to be much less idyllic. We see an alarming wave of rising violence sweeping across the continent — from sporadic armed attacks to full-scale drug cartel wars. As a journalist, this makes me deeply wonder: do European capitals really remain the safe havens we are used to considering them?

A recent study shed light on this problem, naming the cities where the level of street crime involving the use of weapons has reached a critical limit. And the most surprising thing is that this anti-rating was topped by a capital that is a symbol of European diplomacy and unity. Of course, official police reports often do not reflect the complete picture, but what we see in media reports and national summaries cannot but be alarming, reports MODISTA.

Which European cities are recognized as the most dangerous?

Within the framework of a large-scale analysis conducted by Euronews, researchers focused on large cities where the use of firearms has unfortunately become a frequent phenomenon. The anti-rating included not only capitals but also cities where the crime situation proved to be so dramatic that it was simply impossible to ignore.

It is important to note that the authors immediately emphasized: this is not purely scientific work, as complete and open statistics on gun crimes are not available in many EU countries. The rating was formed by comparing the available national police reports and media reports with the population of these cities.

Anti-Record: Brussels — The Capital Under the Gun

The symbol of European politics, Brussels, unexpectedly topped the list as the most dangerous capital in 2025 in terms of armed violence. Criminal groups have become especially active in areas such as Anderlecht and Molenbeek. By mid-August, 57 shooting incidents had already been recorded, with 20 of them occurring during the summer holiday period.

Local prosecutor Julien Moignil does not hide his alarm, stating directly that “any resident can be hit by a stray bullet,” and calls for immediate and coordinated action against the gangs. In response, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin supported quite radical measures: the involvement of military patrols and a significant increase in video surveillance in the most crime-ridden zones.

Stockholm: From Peaceful Haven to Arena of Violence

Sweden, long considered a standard of a safe and peaceful state, is experiencing a radical image change. The capital Stockholm is no longer a symbol of peace. As of August 2025, 55 shootings have been recorded here, resulting in the death of nine people. If you look at the country as a whole, the statistics are frightening: 113 firearm incidents and 33 fatalities. Drug cartels are increasingly recruiting teenagers to carry out orders and use not only pistols but also powerful explosive devices.

Marseille: Dramatic Situation Despite Reduced Casualties

The French city of Marseille, although not a capital, entered the rating due to the “dramatic situation” related to the activities of the drug mafia. Although 24 people died here last year from bullets linked to clan conflicts (significantly fewer than the 49 the year before), experts are skeptical about this “progress.” They believe that the reduction in casualties rather indicates the end of the fiercest clan conflicts, rather than effective police work. Local media have already reported two new fatal incidents this year.

Amsterdam: Explosions Instead of Bullets

Amsterdam has a slightly different criminal dynamic. Although there are no official statistics, the press is raising the alarm due to the increase in the number of explosive attacks: 197 in 2023, which is double the previous year. Fortunately, there were fewer shootings — seven serious incidents, one of which ended in death. Thus, the threat has simply changed its form, but has not disappeared.

European Cities with Moderate and Low Risk

Not everywhere in Europe is there such a high level of tension. For example, in Paris, Copenhagen, Athens, Lisbon, Rome, and Madrid, cases of gang shootings are recorded, but the risk for the average citizen remains noticeably lower.

Capitals with a low risk level include Bucharest, Ljubljana, Nicosia, Prague, Riga, Sofia, Vienna, and Zagreb, where armed incidents occur only rarely and are isolated in nature.

Rating of the Safest Cities in Europe

Fortunately, there are truly safe places. Cities where shootings are an extremely rare phenomenon, and the cases that are recorded are mostly accidental, include: Berlin, Dublin, Helsinki, Vilnius, Budapest, Warsaw, Bratislava, Valletta, Tallinn, and Luxembourg. These are the centers that still preserve the traditional European image of calm and order.

Of course, there is no need to panic. Europe remains one of the safest regions in the world, but this rating serves as an important warning. The rise of gang violence is an alarming signal for politicians and law enforcement, and for us travelers, it is a reason to be more vigilant, especially in the most risky areas of the mentioned cities. Ultimately, we have the right to security, and the state must guarantee it, and our task is to closely monitor the situation to be ready for any surprises.