Abstract: An ultrasound area surveillance system has a plurality of ultrasonic transducer units, each of which is designed for directional radiation of an ultrasonic wave field and for the reception of reflected ultrasonic waves. An analysis device analyzes the reflected ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer units to detect objects situated within a predeterminable surveillance area. The ultrasonic transducer units are arranged closely adjacently, with their radiation directions extending outwardly in a fan-shaped manner. The transducer units may be arranged, for example, in a semicircular array, in two planes situated above one another.