Young people attack swimming masters: Safety increased in Lower Saxony's pools!

Young people attack swimming masters: Safety increased in Lower Saxony's pools!

In the last few weeks, the outdoor swimming pools in Lower Saxony have become the focus of attention. In particular, an incident at the beginning of June in Hanover, where a group of young people injured a swimming master, is causing waves to rise. According to a report by the MOPO This incident is part of a worrying trend: the number of crimes in Lower Saxony's swimming pools is increasing. While 1,890 offenses were registered in 2022, there were already 1,175 incidents in 2023. According to experts, the decline could be due to the fact that the crime scene has had to be stated in police crime statistics since 2022.

In Lower Saxony, theft and simple bodily harm are the most common crimes. Almost half of the crimes reported in 2022 were thefts, followed by 116 crimes against sexual self-determination, including sexual harassment. In the Olantis outdoor pool in Oldenburg, the number of reported crimes remains at a constant level, while respect for employees overall is decreasing.

A look at the security measures

In view of these developments, the municipalities have reacted. On hot days, many swimming pools employ additional security personnel to ensure a pleasant atmosphere. In Hanover, the city plans to introduce even more safety measures by the end of the summer holidays, including the deployment of youth social workers to act as street workers. Mayor Belit Onay emphasizes the need for dialogue and respect in outdoor pools.

The n-tv informs that a long-term view of crime figures in swimming pools seems optimistic at first glance, as crimes have tended to decline in recent years. But there are also isolated cases of attacks that affect bathers' sense of security. An incident in Badeland Celle was particularly significant and shows that, despite the positive trends, there is a need for action.

The development of juvenile crime

As part of the general discussion about security, youth crime in Lower Saxony is also an important topic. According to a report by the NDR Although there are fewer crimes overall, the willingness to use violence has increased. While the number of young suspects has fallen by almost 5% compared to the previous year, there has been an increase of almost 3% in brutality crimes. The challenges are becoming increasingly complex, especially among young people, and the number of victims is also increasing.

The societal challenges behind these numbers are enormous. The LKA is calling for comprehensive efforts to prevent youth violence and is demonstrating the need not to leave the issue to the security forces alone. It remains exciting to see how the situation in the outdoor pools will develop and what measures will be taken to ensure a safe and pleasant swimming experience for everyone.