Vienna expands police reinforcements to combat youth crime

The Vienna Police are expanding their efforts to combat youth crime by increasing the number of officers deployed from other Austrian federal states. Starting in September, police from Salzburg and Carinthia will join officers from Styria, Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria in supporting operations in the capital.

According to the Federal Police Directorate, the reinforcement is a response to the “concentrated appearance of migrant youth groups.” These groups are reportedly involved in rivalries, territorial disputes, and increased violence, including robbery and drug-related offenses. Operations will focus heavily on public spaces and parks during nighttime hours, particularly during the summer and school holidays.

To improve economic efficiency and reduce travel time, the duration of these deployments will shift from daily assignments to periods of up to three months. The Ministry of the Interior noted that many officers have volunteered for these temporary assignments. The reinforced units will be assigned to the Vienna readiness unit to conduct patrols at crime hotspots and support various police activities.