Most baths were generally safe.

In recent times, reports of violence and criminal activity in public swimming pools across Germany have been on the rise. The police in Brandenburg, for instance, have reported a total of 83 cases of violence this year, a significant increase from the previous year's 65 cases. Similarly, the police in the million-strong city of Berlin have registered 141 crimes in the current swimming pool season up to mid-August, although the increase is mainly due to an increase in trespassing.

These incidents, which range from physical injuries to sexual harassment and violent crimes, have raised concerns about safety in public swimming pools. The German Swimming Pool Association, which represents the interests of thousands of pools in Germany, has emphasized the need for close cooperation between police, operators, and other actors to ensure safety.

Christian Mankel, the managing director of the Association, described public swimming pools as a reflection of society, highlighting real issues that should not be trivialized or downplayed. He mentioned measures for more safety that have already been taken, including the use of small screws in the entrance area, personalized online tickets, and digitalized ID checks to prevent potential perpetrators from blending into the crowd.

Operators of public swimming pools have also made significant efforts with their employees to ensure visitor safety. In most of the 3,000 public swimming pools in Germany, safety remains intact during the current season, according to Mankel.

However, cases of sexual harassment have been reported in other federal states, such as Augsburg. A notable incident occurred in Gelnhausen, Hesse, where several girls were reportedly touched all over their bodies by a group of men in the pool.

Criminal activity in public swimming pools should be addressed seriously and collaboratively, as they are a reflection of broader societal issues that should not be ignored or exaggerated. The German Swimming Pool Association emphasizes the importance of joint efforts involving police, operators, social workers, and local authorities to ensure safety in public swimming pools.

On a positive note, a decrease in crimes has been reported in Bremen and Baden-Württemberg, with a decrease of 17.7 percent in Baden-Württemberg to 909 cases compared to the previous year.

In recent years, attacks against pool operators in Germany have included cyberattacks such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, data breaches, and financial fraud, targeting their digital infrastructure and user data. Despite these challenges, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors in public swimming pools.