This year too, the crime statistics are causing a lot of commotion. In 2023, no fewer than 520,010 reports were made, the equivalent of 1,447 per day. About 45 percent of suspects now come from abroad, but smuggling crime is decreasing.
It is thanks to the hard work of local police officers that Austria is still one of the safest countries in the world. But even on the so-called ‘Island of the Soulful’, life is getting rougher and rougher. The figures from the current crime statistics also prove this: last year exactly 520,010 reports were made – which corresponds to an increase of 8.2 percent – and that means the equivalent of 1,447 crimes in one day. More than half of the incidents have been resolved, but things are certainly different.
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The large portions of daily criminal work are still property crime (162,242 crimes), white-collar crime (103,330), violent crime (85,374), internet crime (65,864 crimes) and organized crime (40,333). for approximately 16 percent of all cases handled. The comparison with other forms of crime is remarkable: last year ‘only’ slightly more than 40,000 physical injuries were reported, but almost 65,900 internet crimes.
More perpetrators were identified, almost half of whom were foreigners
The investigation into suspects also increased sharply: in 2023, 329,991 people were identified by the police. According to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, more than 45 percent were not Austrian citizens. By the way, most ‘criminal tourists’ come from: Romania, Germany, Serbia and Syria (see graph).
Even when it comes to illegal immigration, the danger from groups of foreign perpetrators – especially from the East – is closely monitored. However, it is likely that the various measures against smuggling crime will have an effect. Those responsible mention in particular the deployment of 130 Austrian police officers in several states of the Western Balkans and Operation Fox on Hungarian territory.
With 4,704 reports of smuggling in 2023, the number has almost halved compared to 9,186 reports in 2022. Last year, no fewer than 725 criminals were arrested. But the danger remains great.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
