Shocking argument on Anger: Two women injured, police are investigating!

Shocking argument on Anger: Two women injured, police are investigating!

On October 15, 2025, an incident occurred on the Anger in Erfurt that not only injured two women, but also fueled the discussion about the planned video surveillance. After an argument between two men, the cause of which remains unknown, one of the combatants used irritant gas. This caused eye irritation in a 17-year-old female. An 88-year-old woman suffered minor injuries when she was knocked over. The police were able to arrest an 18-year-old, while another man is still being sought. An investigation was initiated. MDR reports that the Anger is known as a problem area where criminal activities such as thefts and fights often occur.

Six days after this incident, on Friday, October 15th, video surveillance is scheduled to start on the Anger. This measure, which includes twelve cameras, aims to increase security in the city center while enabling police to respond more quickly to incidents, particularly at night and at weekends. The state-owned project is the first of its kind in Thuringia and is intended to ensure a better feeling of security among citizens around the clock. Thüringen24 explains that the city and the Interior Ministry are hoping for evidence of possible crimes.

Criticism of video surveillance

But not everyone supports this measure. The Left in the Thuringian state parliament is critical of video surveillance and speaks of a massive infringement on fundamental rights and an attack on freedom of assembly. Particularly noteworthy is the warning from internet policy spokeswoman Katharina König-Preuss, who describes the assurance that cameras will be covered at meetings as unrealistic. According to her, the practical implementation is also questionable, as the coverage of the cameras cannot always be guaranteed during demonstrations. This dispute is also addressed in southern Thuringia.

In addition, there were data protection concerns that caused delays in the start of the project. The entrances to shops, law offices and practices had to be made unrecognizable in order to comply with data protection requirements. What's interesting is that the cameras' recordings are automatically deleted after two weeks, which is seen as a positive aspect of surveillance, at least for some critics.

The Anger is undoubtedly a lively place that is not only a transport hub, but also serves as a shopping mile. Because of the number of incidents here, the city hopes the new cameras will help fight crime. But while those responsible are committed to improving the feeling of security, it remains to be seen how the debate about video surveillance will develop further.