The State Criminal Police Office of Hesse (LKA) has drawn a startling conclusion after several alleged sexual assaults on young girls. In Hesse alone, a total of 74 cases of sexual violence were registered in swimming pools in 2024. At the end of June in Gelnhausen, Hesse, at least eight girls between the ages of 11 and 16 were reportedly molested—prosecutors are investigating four Syrian men aged between 18 and 28. Visitors were shocked, parents became anxious, and children frightened. One swimmer (30) who was present on the days of the attacks said, “I think the situation is very bad. It’s a shame, because this is a great pool. Now people will pay more attention.”
In 2024, the LKA recorded 74 sexual violence incidents in Hesse’s swimming pools, compared to 78 the previous year. In 60% of the cases, suspects were non-German. Of the 57 individuals identified by police, 55 were male. Investigators nevertheless emphasize that “they do not consider the swimming pools to be crime hotspots.” “There are fewer skilled workers, which means there is a danger that we can no longer keep an eye on everything and intervene appropriately,” warns Peter Harzheim, president of the Federal Association of German Lifeguards (BDS). According to the BDS president, cost-cutting measures following the coronavirus pandemic and the energy crisis have primarily come at the expense of staffing, security, and cleanliness.
Hesse’s Interior Minister, Roman Poseck (CDU), demands: “The incidents in the Gelnhausen pool must be investigated quickly and comprehensively. We cannot allow our pools to become sites of sexual harassment.” On Welt TV he stated firmly: “I believe a change is needed in migration policy.”
Translated and edited by: Hans Seckler