Fear Alert: Report unsafe places online now

The town of Bocholt has launched an online reporting system for areas where people feel unsafe. At bocholt.de/angstraummelder, residents can now report places where they feel unsafe. This information helps the local authority to identify such areas and consider possible improvements.

A poorly lit path, a confusing underpass or a school playground that makes people feel uneasy after dark: the new service is aimed at people who are familiar with such places in urban areas. The focus is on people's personal sense of safety. Even places where no specific danger is known to exist can be perceived as places that instil fear.

With this service, which has now been launched, the city of Bocholt is acting on a suggestion from local politicians. A joint motion by the CDU and Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary groups had provided the impetus to systematically record information about such places.

"Anyone who uses a particular route every day often knows exactly which spots - where it is dark or visibility is poor - cause unease", explains Martin Wolters, Head of the Public Order Department, "we want to know which places people in Bocholt avoid because they feel unsafe there. Their experiences help us to examine potential improvements in a targeted manner."

A simple registration is required to submit a report online. Users can then use "'Your Report'" to mark the location in question on a map, select a category and briefly describe the situation. A photo can also be uploaded.

"Safety and order in public spaces are a clear priority for us. People should be able to move about safely in Bocholt. That is why we take reports seriously, assess the situation on the ground and take action where necessary", emphasises Deputy Mayor Björn Volmering.

The 'Angstraummelder' service is available at www.bocholt.de/angstraummelder. Anyone unable to use the online service can report incidents by telephone on 02871 953-2110 or by email to ordnungsamt(at)bocholt(dot)de.