Aggressive burglar in Ottakring: Police intervene!

Aggressive burglar in Ottakring: Police intervene!

On July 14, 2025, something unusual stirred in a garden shed in the Ottakring district. There, a 31-year-old German broke open the wooden door - not to protect the property, but to go to sleep. This unexpected incident ended in a heated exchange when the police had to intervene. The officers from the Brunnengasse police station became aware of the man and spoke to him. But instead of a friendly answer, the man reacted aggressively and attacked the police officers with punches. They didn't take long to ask and used physical force to overpower and arrest the man.

After his interrogation, the German was finally released on the orders of the Vienna public prosecutor's office. It is not the first time that such incidents have occurred in Vienna. There was already a significant increase in crime in 2023, with around 528,000 reported crimes, the highest figure since 2016. Particularly striking: over a third of these crimes occurred in Vienna, where around 85,400 highly publicized crimes were registered in the same year.

The background to crime in Vienna

As an analysis of crime statistics shows, foreign crime plays a significant role. Statista reports that in 2022, around 43% of suspects and convicts were foreigners, and they also made up 58% of those newly incarcerated. The most common countries of origin are Romania, Germany and Serbia. These statistics contribute to the general uncertainty: around 70% of Austrians believe that immigrants exacerbate crime problems.

There is even an increase in drug-related crime. Around 35,400 crimes were reported in 2023, with Vienna leading the way with around 9,960 cases. Cannabis is the most commonly used addictive substance. Despite the rising numbers, 50% of Austrians support legalizing cannabis, showing that public opinion is divided on this issue.

Trust in the police

The crime situation also has an impact on the population's trust in the police and justice system. According to a survey from spring 2024, 77% of the Austrian population trust the police, while 72% of those surveyed trust the judiciary. In times of rising crime, this trust seems to be particularly important in order to be successful in combating crimes. The police clearance rate was 52.3% in 2023, a slight increase compared to the previous year, but the challenges remain significant.

The garden shed incident is just another example of the complex challenges facing security forces in Vienna. In an urban area where not only everyday life but also criminal activities are at a premium, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures will be taken to combat these trends.

5min.at reports about the incident and the subsequent actions of the police, during ORF Vienna provide a comprehensive overview of the crime situation. A detailed analysis of crime statistics can also be found at Statista, which offer interesting insights into developments in recent years.