Surveillance cameras are now operational at Heilbronn's marketplace.
Heilbronn Introduces Video Surveillance to Boost City Safety
Heilbronn, a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, has taken a step towards enhancing public safety by implementing video surveillance in certain public areas. This move is part of a broader initiative known as "Secure Heilbronn," a collaboration between the city and the Heilbronn Police Headquarters.
The video surveillance system, active from Monday to Friday between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on Saturdays between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., was first introduced on the city's market square. Harry Mergel, the Mayor of Heilbronn, expressed confidence that this measure would improve both subjective and objective safety in the monitored area.
The Heilbronn Police Headquarters bears the personnel costs for ensuring video surveillance, with the support of concept forces. The recordings are generally stored for 72 hours and then permanently deleted, unless required as evidence for criminal offenses.
The number of registered criminal offenses in the city center of Heilbronn, particularly on the market square, has been increasing for several years. This surge in crime has prompted the city to take action to combat the issue.
The partnership between the Heilbronn Police Headquarters and the city of Heilbronn was formalized with a cooperation agreement "Secure Heilbronn" on October 17, 2024. Since then, the collaboration has led to the implementation of various measures, such as bans on street prostitution, alcohol, weapons, and knives in specific areas.
The partnership has also resulted in increased police presence, targeted control measures, and low-threshold measures like evictions, bans on individuals or groups, and regular checks on the poser and racer scene. These efforts have contributed to Heilbronn consistently ranking high in safety among large cities in Baden-Württemberg.
Other cities in Baden-Württemberg are also considering similar measures. For instance, Göppingen has installed cameras at the "Am Fischbergele" container site to prevent illegal dumping and vandalism, aiming to improve cleanliness and reduce pest infestations. Mannheim and Tübingen are also exploring the possibility of surveillance, possibly augmented by AI, primarily focused on crime hotspots, though legal and data protection constraints limit widespread deployment.
Frank Spitzmueller, President of the Heilbronn Police Headquarters, believes the video surveillance is another component of the city's security architecture. Thomas Strobl, Deputy Minister-President and Minister of the Interior, made this announcement at a press conference on September 3, 2025. The Baden-Württemberg Police provides information on video surveillance in Heilbronn.
In the first half of 2025, the number of criminal offenses in public spaces in the city center of Heilbronn increased compared to the previous year. Despite this, the cooperation agreement "Secure Heilbronn" between the city of Heilbronn and the Heilbronn Police Headquarters continues to be in effect. The city remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for its residents and visitors.
