So far this summer, the police have registered 69 acts of violence in Berlin’s outdoor pools and bathing areas. The number is as of August 9th, so it could increase by the end of the summer.
It mainly includes bodily harm, but also sexual offenses such as sexual harassment. In the police statistics, the crime scenes “outdoor pool” and “beach/shore” were evaluated. This emerges from a response from the Senate to an AfD request.
The districts of Steglitz-Zehlendorf (17), Pankow (13) and Treptow-Köpenick (10) had the highest numbers. This may have something to do with the number of outdoor pools and bathing areas. For example, there are several lakes and baths in Steglitz-Zehlendorf.
In 2018 there were around 120 reported violent crimes. Looking at the districts and the period since 2012, Treptow-Köpenick has had the most violent crimes in outdoor pools or at bathing areas (122), followed by Steglitz-Zehlendorf (115), Reinickendorf (104) and Mitte (101).
For many years, the bathing establishments have used private security services to protect against aggressive visitors and imminent altercations. Around 170 security guards are now on duty on hot weekends. The costs rose from 450,000 euros in 2011 to 1.5 million euros this year.
In the current year, a total of 355 criminal offenses – in addition to acts of violence, theft, trespassing and other offenses – were reported in swimming pools, on beaches or in the immediate vicinity. In previous years there were sometimes more than 500 crimes.
The pool companies always point out that there are also a lot of people on their premises, alone the many Berlin open-air pools counted 1.7 million visitors this summer.
