Youth crime in Austria is exploding: especially in the age group from 10 to under 14, the number of suspects has almost doubled. In 2013 there were ‘only’ 4,821 reports, but the year before there were already 9,730 cases.
The face of Austrian criminals is getting younger and younger. Due to increasingly brutal cases – such as a gang of mass rapists – and exploding, that is, alarming statistics about the descent into the wrong path, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner set up a task force in early March to combat youth crime.
After three months, the first balance is now available: there were no fewer than 2,700 advertisements. This mainly concerns drug-related crimes. And: one in ten reports even ended with an arrest of a young person by the police.
In 2023, 44,052 suspects were reported
At the same time, criminologists have evaluated age development in the child and youth scene since 2013: on average, 850 children under the age of ten were identified as suspects.
“I have given orders to take priority measures, clean up and ensure people’s safety. These priorities will continue,” said Interior Secretary Karner.
But in the group aged 10 to 14, the number of suspects has doubled: in 2023 there were 9,730 reports. But the total number of reported ‘tall young people’ aged 14 to 18 has also exploded by almost a third between 2013 and 2023. While there were 24,800 reports in 2013, last year 33,442 young people were registered in the crime statistics.
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.
