Introduction: In a meta-analysis of international studies, 17% of admitted patients in psychiatric hospitals had shown violent behaviour towards others. Reported data from studies in Germany were considerably lower until now. However, studies referred to single hospitals and data quality was questionable. It is under discussion whether there is an increase of violent incidents. Methods: In a group of 10 hospitals serving about half of the population of the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg with 11...