Vienna Police Target Crime Hotspots with New Operations

Vienna Police Target Crime Hotspots with New Operations

Photo: Helmut Graf

 

Progress in Curbing Youth Crime and Ongoing Efforts in Public Safety

On Tuesday evening, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Vienna’s Chief of Police Gerhard Pürstl presented a public demonstration at Meidling Station to showcase the ongoing police efforts to tackle crime in public areas. Karner emphasized that the police will continue their “firm cleanup” of problem areas, while Pürstl reported a drop in youth crime following a summer marked by violent escalations.

“We saw around 90 youth-related offenses in June and July, which have now decreased to just under 60,” Pürstl noted. Key locations, including train stations, subway stations, and parks, remain focal points for police operations. “The necessity of these measures became evident with the events of this past spring and summer,” he added.

Coordinated Response to Rising Violence

Following several violent incidents involving ethnic groups, including clashes between Chechen, Afghan, and Syrian youths, the Vienna police established a “modular system” to address district-specific needs. According to Pürstl, 70 to 80 officers are now dedicated solely to monitoring public spaces. Additionally, all special units in Vienna are instructed to conduct targeted operations within their areas, contributing to a citywide decline in public crime.

Despite this progress, there is “still much work to be done.” Along the Vienna Gürtel, from January 1 to November 1, youth crime (resolved offenses) decreased by 2.5% compared to the previous year. However, overall crime in the area increased by 10%, with 5,815 reported incidents. In just the past three months, Vienna recorded 2,200 violent offenses, over 300 robberies, and 1,500 drug-related crimes.

Reflecting on the impact of the specialized Youth Crime Task Force (EJK), established in spring, Karner noted that from March 15, authorities filed 6,604 charges—1,698 against youths—and conducted 50,000 identity checks. The task force has also seized 107 weapons and 12.5 kilograms of drugs and arrested 793 individuals, 87 of whom were under 18. “The task force has almost daily special operations nationwide,” said Karner, affirming that the police will continue to “clean up and intervene” wherever necessary.

Karner also highlighted Vienna-Favoriten’s current weapon-free zone and a proposed “knife ban law,” which remains under consideration despite recent parliamentary elections. He urged the incoming government to support this legislation, as he believes it would further strengthen public safety measures.

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