Described herein is a device for optically surveilling at least one area. The device includes a sender unit and a receiver unit. The sender unit has at least one illumination source. The illumination source is designed to generate at least one light beam having a beam profile. Each light beam is designated for propagating to the receiver unit, thereby traversing at least one area for surveillance. The receiver unit includes at least one transfer device, at least two optical sensors, and at least one evaluation device.