In most swimming pools, there has been some kind of riot in the past year.

But the variation is great.

Swimming pools with many visitors have more problems.

Many swimming pools also report threats, harassment and sexual abuse.

On average, there are nine incidents per year, according to the report.

In a little less than half of the swimming pools, either visitors or staff have been subjected to violence.

The vast majority of representatives of the swimming pools say that it is the same people who are behind the events.

These are mainly boys and men with criminal offenses. 

Threats and harassment

Among the libraries, everyone reports some form of crime or disorder in the past year, but just as for the swimming pools, the variation is great, libraries in larger cities and urban areas are more vulnerable.

Threats and harassment have occurred in about a third of libraries.

Thefts have occurred in three out of four libraries.  

Virtually all libraries have had visitors who have been intoxicated and in some cases there have also been drug sales.

Several interviews mention that homeless people sometimes sleep in libraries and use the public toilets as bathrooms. 

Insecure situation for staff

In the first place, the events create an insecure work situation for those who work in the libraries and swimming pools.

Libraries need to invest a lot of time and resources in developing routines for how people and situations should be handled.

This means that schedules are adjusted, that certain rooms can be closed and that certain activities can be canceled if it is not possible to ensure that the staff is safe. 

Visitors are also affected by chaos and anxiety about being exposed to crime.

Some therefore choose to visit libraries and swimming pools less often, according to the report.

Higher costs

The operations are also financially affected by the unrest.

Swimming pools see declining revenues when visitors are absent and increased costs for safety measures and decontamination.  

In libraries, increased costs are raised when equipment is stolen and must be replaced.