Bath visitors generally felt secure throughout their soaking sessions.

In recent news, a public swimming pool in Gelnhausen, Hesse, has made headlines due to reports of several girls being groped by a group of men in the pool. This unfortunate incident has sparked conversations about safety in public swimming pools across Germany.

The German Swimming Pool Association, representing thousands of pools in the country, and the German Swimming Hall Association (DGfdB) have been proactive in implementing safety measures. These measures include issuing bathing-specific standards, enforcing building regulations like prohibiting abrupt transitions from shallow to deep water, mandating permanent supervision by qualified personnel, and requiring safety signs like water depth indicators and lane ropes separating swimmer and non-swimmer areas.

Despite these efforts, incidents of violence and crime have been reported in various parts of Germany. For instance, acts of violence, including a lifeguard being attacked, have occurred in Hannover. In Berlin, the police recorded 141 crimes in the current swimming pool season up to mid-August, slightly more than in the same period last year, mainly due to an increase in trespassing.

However, it's important to note that in the majority of public swimming pools in Germany, safety remains intact during the current season. This is a testament to the significant efforts made by pool operators and their staff to ensure safety.

The police, operators, social workers, and local authorities all share the responsibility of ensuring safety in public swimming pools. Innovative measures such as personalized online tickets help prevent potential perpetrators from disappearing anonymously in the crowd of visitors.

In some regions, such as Baden-Württemberg and Bremen, a decrease in crimes has been reported. In Baden-Württemberg, the number of crimes in public swimming pools decreased by 17.7 percent to 909 cases compared to the previous year. Similarly, a decrease in crimes was also reported in Bremen.

On the other hand, regions like Brandenburg have seen an increase in acts of violence. The police in Brandenburg reported a total of 83 acts of violence, mostly bodily injuries, compared to 65 cases the previous year.

Christian Mankel, managing director of the German Swimming Pool Association, emphasized that existing problems in public swimming pools should not be trivialized or swept under the rug, but also should not be exaggerated into scandals. He stated that public swimming pools across the country are a reflection of society.

Cases of sexual harassment have also been reported in other federal states, such as Augsburg. Mankel mentioned the implementation of measures to increase safety, such as small adjustments in the entrance area and digitalized ID checks.

As the swimming season continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to remain vigilant and committed to maintaining a safe environment for all visitors.