Ulm: Security partnership targets drug scene

In Ulm, the police headquarters, city administration and federal police are stepping up cooperation to improve safety in the city centre. The move follows conditions at well-known meeting and gathering places of the drug and drinking scene: crime there has recently improved, yet authorities still want to strengthen the sense of security and review and implement additional measures.<\/p>

Improved situation at hotspots<\/h2>

At locations in the city where users of illegal drugs and heavily intoxicated people congregate, police have noted a positive trend. An earlier press release from the security agencies had already pointed to progress. Even so, prevention remains a priority because public spaces, passers-by and residents can be directly affected by disturbances, small-scale drug dealing and related offences.<\/p>

Ulm police headquarters works closely with the municipal public order service, federal police and DB security. The aim is not only to combat crime but also to maintain a visible presence that keeps the city centre viable for retail, hospitality and culture. The expanded security partnership is intended to deepen coordination between public order agencies, railway police and railway security services.<\/p>

Mayor and police leadership stress presence<\/h2>

Lord Mayor Martin Ansbacher said security was the foundation for an attractive, lively city centre. Together with partners, presence, cooperation and networking would be strengthened so that residents and visitors could feel safe. Deputy police president Askin Bingöl added that, alongside long-running checks, the mobile watch unit and prevention stands in the city centre, the new joint foot patrols were another building block so that the public was safe and felt safe.<\/p>

Joint foot patrols in the summer months<\/h2>

During the summer months, Ulm police headquarters conducts foot patrols with partners, as it has since early May. Areas patrolled include the zone between Bahnhofstrasse, Lederhof, the station forecourt and Sedelhöfen. The station footbridge and tracks are also covered. These spots are regarded as key points where the drug and drinking scene traditionally gathers and where passers-by and travellers are especially active.<\/p>

Patrols focus on evenings at busy times and at weekends. Visitor numbers in the city centre and at Ulm main station rise then, while the risk of conflict, open consumption or related offences can increase. A joint presence by several agencies is meant not only to deter but also to allow faster responses to public order issues and indications of drug crime.<\/p>

Cooperation at the main station<\/h3>

Chief Superintendent Matthias Kroll, head of the Stuttgart federal police inspection, stressed coordinated action by all security partners. Synergies could be used optimally. In particular, joint patrols by federal and state police under the Baden-Württemberg security cooperation would contribute effectively to safety at Ulm main station and its surroundings. As a transport hub, the station links regional and long-distance services and is central both to general crime prevention and to tackling drug crime and related offences around rail traffic.<\/p>

Existing measures and new elements<\/h2>

The expanded partnership builds on established tools. Checks, the mobile watch and fixed prevention stands in the city centre were already part of the concept. The additional foot patrols add direct, visible presence at peak times. For businesses, residents and visitors, this should show that authorities are not only tracking problems around the drug and drinking scene statistically but are actively addressing them in public space.<\/p>

From the city and police perspective, combining the public order office, state police, federal police and railway security matters because responsibilities and offence types overlap at these locations. While the municipal order service may act on noise or local rule breaches, more serious crimes fall to the police. Federal police are especially present at the station and on tracks. DB security adds railway-specific aspects.<\/p>

The release makes clear that measures continue even when conditions at hotspots have already improved. Authorities want to avoid short-term success leading to complacency. Around drug crime and open consumption, the situation can worsen quickly if presence and cooperation slacken. The expanded partnership should therefore be seen as a lasting reinforcement of the inner-city strategy, not a one-off action.<\/p>

Areas between station and city centre<\/h2>

The named locations form a continuous band from the station forecourt along Bahnhofstrasse into Sedelhöfen and Lederhof. Commuters, tourists and retail customers pass through this corridor daily. At the same time, groups from the drug and drinking scene use the public squares as meeting points. Police and the city therefore speak of a shared area of responsibility where prevention and rapid response must go hand in hand.<\/p>

Foot patrols are meant to make officers and public order staff approachable early on. Residents can report open drug use, aggressive situations or breaches of station rules. With several partners present at once, the back-and-forth over jurisdiction that may have cost time in the past is often avoided.<\/p>

• Expanded security partnership between Ulm police headquarters, the city of Ulm and federal police<\/li>
• Joint foot patrols at drug and drinking scene hotspots since May<\/li>
• Focus evenings and weekends in Bahnhofstrasse, Lederhof, Sedelhöfen and track areas<\/li>
• Coordinated patrols under Baden-Württemberg security cooperation at Ulm main station<\/li><\/ul>

  Questions about the measures go to the press offices of Ulm police headquarters and the Stuttgart federal police inspection. The named contacts are available to media and the public. In substance, Ulm aims to secure its city centre and main station area together with several partners against the effects of the drug and drinking scene – with visible presence, coordinated patrols and the goal that people can move safely in public space.<\/p>