In Germany, people jailed for grievous bodily harm and sex offenders can be held in preventative detention although they have already completed their time behind bars.This currently applies to some 500 detainees. But the European Court for Human Rights has ruled that this partly contravenes European law. Now people who are seen to be potentially dangerous or who could possibly re-offend are to be set free. The police and local residents are concerned. Policymakers are debating on new legislation.