Youth violence on the rise in Austria

Drugs, rape, knife attacks: the infamous Favoriten district in Vienna continues to make headlines. Does the Austrian capital, which prides itself on offering the best quality of life in the world, have a security problem?

“Here, during the day, it’s relatively safe” says Brigitte Sandriesser, flower seller in Favoriten.

“Many nations live here, so something can always happen. You always have to look out for yourself” adds Dorinelmarinel Lazar, who lives in the neighborhood. His neighbor, Rafet Gjoka, agrees: “There was a fight there for half an hour. The police didn’t come.”

Here in Favoriten, the police are now checking random people every day for weapons in an attempt to keep crime off the streets. The Austrian government also plans to lower the age of majority. criminal liability from 14 to 12 years. However, many experts believe that in prison, young people become even more criminal.

According to authorities, crime among young people is increasing. Previously, most juvenile offenders were unarmed, now they resort to knives and even guns.

“We are seeing an increase in crimes committed by young people in certain areas of crime. These are mainly assaults, thefts, but also property damage. Of course, the police are now taking countermeasures in this area – both preventatively and also working with young people after offenses have been committed” explains Philipp Haßlinger, press spokesperson for the Vienna Police.

Although Austria ranks fifth in the World Peace Index and is one of the safest countries in the world, the incidents in the Favoriten district will likely have an impact on the upcoming European elections. The anti-immigration FPÖ party is expected to win a landslide victory.