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City confirms crime hotspot / Number of cases significantly higher than in other places
The city of Darmstadt has announced that video surveillance on Luisenplatz continue for another two years. Head of Public Order, Paul Georg Wandrey, emphasizes the city's clear stance:
"For me, it's clear: I support video surveillance and am committed to its continuation. No other area in Darmstadt is as heavily affected by crime as Luisenplatz."
According to Section 14 Paragraph 3 of the Hessian Public Safety and Order Act (HSOG), it must be reviewed every two years whether the conditions for video surveillance still exist. The current review confirms: Luisenplatz remains a crime hotspot – particularly with regard to assault , theft , and street crime .
New legal situation facilitates continuation
Since December 2024, the Hessian Law on Public Safety and Order (HSOG) has allowed video surveillance in places that, due to their location and frequency, are considered particularly prone to crime or are classified as so-called fear areas .
In the 2022 KOMPASS survey, Luisenplatz was identified as the place where most respondents felt subjectively unsafe. Avoiding the square is hardly possible due to its function as a central public transport hub – an additional aspect that legally supports its continued operation.
Comparative figures confirm crime hotspot
The Hessian police have recorded the number of street crime cases for the years 2022 to 2024 for three central squares in Darmstadt:
Street crime – comparative figures 2022–2024
| Crime scene / Year | Luisenplatz | Marketplace | German Unity Square |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 123 | 27 | 76 |
| 2023 | 177 | 44 | 63 |
| 2024 | 162 | 30 | 79 |
In all three years, Luisenplatz significantly exceeded the comparable areas – sometimes with more than five times the number of cases at the market square.
Detailed analysis: Crimes by offense category
The distribution of offenses also confirms once again a high level of street crime.
Crime distribution Luisenplatz 2022–2024
| Crime | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes against life | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| violent crimes | 55 | 87 | 67 |
| theft | 49 | 64 | 81 |
| Narcotics Act | 14 | 11 | 6 |
| Property damage | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Sexual offenses | 2 | 9 | 7 |
Particularly striking is the continuous increase in theft , while drug-related crime continues to decline – a decrease which, according to the police, is due to a displacement effect caused by video surveillance.
The importance of video surveillance for investigations
Video surveillance has also proven to be a valuable tool in criminal investigations. For example, in 2023, the perpetrator of the homicide of a homeless man was identified using video footage.
Police conclusion: Displacement instead of expansion
The police see no widespread shift of crime to other parts of the city. While some members of the drug scene have moved away from Luisenplatz, this has only occurred to a lesser extent. This is being addressed with increased patrols.
Head of Public Order Wandrey clarifies:
“Due to its crime statistics, Luisenplatz remains a crime hotspot. Video surveillance is necessary and will continue – for greater security and a better sense of safety for the people in our city.”
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
