"Our prevention work is now even more professional and modern. The establishment and opening of this new police advice center, which is equipped with modern technology, has state-wide significance," said the minister.

Together with Cologne Police President Johannes Hermanns and Ingo Wünsch, Director of the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (LKA NRW), Interior Minister Herbert Reul presented the new 160-square-meter facility and the opportunities it offers. "The advice center is a modern service point for the public that meets the current requirements of police crime prevention," said Minister Herbert Reul.

Modern contact point for the people of NRW

A project group under the leadership of the LKA NRW was commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close cooperation with the employees of Cologne Police Headquarters to set up the modern contact point. It has been adapted to current developments - particularly with regard to digitalization. Around 1,666,000 euros were invested. The building and real estate company of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (BLB NRW) created the spatial conditions.

Lighthouse project of the NRW police for digitization

The common goal of all those involved is to strengthen prevention and to design the services in a target group-oriented manner and with even greater proximity to citizens. Not just in Cologne, but throughout the state. In addition to qualified staff, this requires appropriate spatial and technical equipment. "This advice and prevention center is a flagship project of the NRW police for digitalization," says LKA Director Ingo Wünsch. With his example, he illustrates that the modernization of all criminal police advice centres is to be driven forward. "The opening in Cologne is an important milestone that we have reached in this process."

Participation in the virtual space

"We are taking a new approach to crime prevention, modernizing and digitizing the advice services, making prevention more interesting and individual for visitors to the advice centre. We are also able to use modern transmission technology to transport prevention topics into the living environment of those who are unable to visit the police for time reasons, for example, or who would like advice on burglary protection on a building site with a tablet in their hand. Advice is therefore not just limited to the new premises, but also enables participation in virtual space," says Johannes Hermanns, Chief of Police of Cologne. Such transmissions are made possible by cameras, a microphone system, loudspeakers and a video conferencing system.

Comprehensive range of advice and assistance

In the NRW Police Digital Advice and Prevention Centre in Cologne, trained staff provide information and raise awareness on various topics. The advice and assistance offered ranges from information on crimes in the areas of cybercrime, child endangerment and juvenile crime, (sexual) violence, politically motivated crime, assets and property to police victim protection. In addition, the new center is a platform for working with cooperation partners and implementing measures in connection with the state campaigns "Riegel vor! Safe is safer!", "Safe in old age", "Open your eyes - close your bag" and "Make your password strong".