Concerns regarding safety and security at railway stations and on trains across Germany are prompting a renewed push for enhanced measures. Members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group are advocating for a comprehensive “security offensive” aimed at bolstering protection within the nation’s public spaces.
According to Alexander Throm, the CDU/CSU’s spokesperson for internal affairs, the focus is shifting after recent efforts to secure national borders. He highlighted provisions within the current coalition agreement that anticipate the implementation of video surveillance, incorporating intelligent facial recognition technology, at locations identified as crime hotspots. Throm emphasized the maturity of this technology and urged for its swift deployment, stating that data privacy considerations should not unduly impede public safety initiatives. He cautioned that unchecked criminal activity at train stations risks significantly undermining the sense of security amongst citizens.
The proposal enjoys support from within the Federal Police force. Andreas Roßkopf, head of the Police Union (GdP) for the Federal Police, echoed the need for rapid action, specifically requesting the immediate implementation of AI-powered video surveillance systems and a mechanism for recording footage. He cited successful pilot projects demonstrating the effectiveness of such systems, declaring them ready for immediate operational deployment.
Acknowledging existing resource constraints, Roßkopf also noted a shortfall of approximately 5,000 officers currently assigned to railway station duties. While emphasizing that advanced surveillance systems cannot replace personnel, he stressed their potential to alleviate the burden on existing staff and substantially enhance operational efficiency.