Surveillance cameras installed at Heilbronn marketplace commence operation
In the heart of Heilbronn, a bustling city in Baden-Württemberg, an increase in public space offenses was observed during the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. In response, the city and its police headquarters have taken decisive action to enhance safety, particularly in the city centre.
The introduction of video surveillance on Heilbronn Market Square on September 3, 2025, is a key part of this strategy. The high-resolution cameras transmit live footage to the Heilbronn Police Headquarters command and situation center for evaluation, with the aim of preventing street crime and reacting to incidents promptly.
Frank Spitzmüller, President of the Heilbronn Police Headquarters, ordered the installation of the video surveillance system. The city of Heilbronn bears the costs of the technical implementation, with the police headquarters ensuring the personnel requirements for video surveillance with the support of concept forces from the external police deployment.
The video recordings are generally stored for 72 hours and then permanently deleted, unless required as evidence for the prosecution of criminal offenses. The increased presence of police and the local public order service, combined with targeted control measures, is another key success factor in Heilbronn's safety efforts.
The partnership between Heilbronn Police Headquarters and the city of Heilbronn was strengthened and expanded on October 17, 2024, with the signing of the cooperation agreement "Secure Heilbronn". This agreement, known as the "Cooperation Agreement 'Safe Heilbronn'" (Kooperationsvereinbarung „Sicheres Heilbronn“), marks a significant step forward in their joint commitment to ensuring the safety of the city.
The partnership has seen numerous measures implemented in Heilbronn, including a ban on street prostitution, an alcohol ban, and weapon and knife ban zones. Low-threshold measures such as evictions, bans on certain persons or groups in the city centre, the increased use of civilian police officers, and regular checks on the poser and speeding scene are also part of the extensive efforts of the cooperation partners.
Despite the overall good security situation in Heilbronn, the number of registered offenses in the city centre, particularly on the market square, has been increasing for several years. However, the city consistently ranks high in safety among large cities in Baden-Württemberg.
The video surveillance on Heilbronn Market Square operates between specific times: Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 9 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 pm to 2 am. These measures are all part of Heilbronn's ongoing efforts to improve safety and maintain its reputation as a secure city.
