Loan service against sign theft - good experience in Bad Düben

For almost two years, the town of Bad Düben in northern Saxony has been trying to get to grips with the problem of town sign theft with a loan service. From the town council's point of view, the project has been a success: "No more town signposts have been stolen," said Kathrin Listemann, who is responsible for the loan service. The rental service should therefore definitely be continued.

Since September 2023, various signs with the inscription Bad Düben and district names can be borrowed from the town. The yellow town signs were specially made and have the words "Bock auf Festival" on the back. Borrowing is free of charge, but personal details must be provided.

Borrowed signs popular at festivals

The reason for the experiment was that the spa town, like other municipalities, has repeatedly had to deal with sign theft. The signs disappeared several times a year, only to be spotted again at music festivals on campsites, for example. The city estimated the cost of replacing a stolen place name sign at at least 300 euros. It is also a criminal offense to dismantle and take away a place name sign.

Since the start of the project, the yellow signs have been borrowed around 20 times, Listemann said. They are most often used for festivals, but signs have also been borrowed for birthdays or company and club trips. "All the signs are in circulation at festivals," said Listemann. The Bad Düben bathing and wellness resort HeideSpa has also used a sign for trade fair purposes on several occasions.