Youth crime in Vienna: Alarming figures shock the city!

Youth crime in Vienna: Alarming figures shock the city!

There is alarming news about youth crime in Vienna. In 2024, a total of 14,804 young suspects were registered in the federal capital, which shows the worrying development of growing crime among minors. The districts of Favoriten, Floridsdorf and Donaustadt in particular have been named hotspots in which the number of young suspects has risen sharply. In Favoriten alone, 1,397 underage suspects were recorded, including 17 children under the age of ten - a shocking number that underlines the urgency of the issue. The numbers in Floridsdorf and Donaustadt are also alarming, with 1,734 and 1,834 young people suspected of crimes, with a considerable number being between ten and 14 years old. This data was passed on by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) as part of a parliamentary question from the FPÖ, which was sharply criticized by Michael Schnedlitz, the FPÖ's general secretary. Schnedlitz is calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be reduced to 12 years and for stricter age controls.

The discussion about youth crime in Vienna continues to be characterized by a high proportion of non-Austrian suspects. There are 1,167 Syrians particularly among those aged 14 to 18, which raises questions about integration policy. Schnedlitz is convinced that the integration measures have failed and says that Vienna's districts are increasingly becoming breeding grounds for violence. It is suspected that the increasing numbers could be related to the social environment of the young people affected.

The situation of migrants

There are many reasons for the high crime rate among young people, especially from migrant families. A look at the general development of crime shows that a small proportion of migrants become delinquents, but criminal offenses are strikingly common. This often has to do with stressful living conditions and the age and gender composition. Adult migrants who have access to the labor market rarely commit crimes, while violent crimes often occur in conjunction with conflicts in communal accommodation. bpb.de points out that crime tends to be higher among young people from migrant families, but the majority do not commit crimes.

A key aspect is that educational institutions play a key role in the integration of children from immigrant families. Access to education and integration opportunities could help to sustainably reduce the risk of crime. However, given the current developments in Vienna, there are calls for increased measures.

In summary, Viennese youth crime is facing a serious problem that calls into question not only the city itself, but also the country's integration policies. It is hoped that appropriate measures will be taken to stop this worrying trend.