While Robbie Williams makes the crowd enthusiastic today with his hits at the Ernst Happel Stadium, the number of other subject at the same time is a different subject: the private security service industry in Austria remains largely unregulated and this houses for organizers and visitors.
It is a security risk with an announcement. A year after the occurring terrorist attack on the Taylor Swift concert at the beginning of August 2024, almost any security in Austria can be without training, without testing, without real control. What sounds like a bad joke is a bitter reality – and a fire kinship risk, as showing recent incidents. One of the men who planted an attack on the Taylor Swift concert worked as a security right on the front. A nightmare for the police and the protection of the Constitution. Until now there have been no consequences of it.
During mega events such as Taylor Swift or Robbie-Williams concerts, private security services are often the first and only barrier between the stage and the public. A few days ago, the Surveillance legislation of the danger was adopted in parliament, but in the security area everything is still the same. Now Jörg Leichtfried, Spö State Secretary for State Protection, is the alarm!
There are no standards that can work as security
Because there is a lack of basic standards – for example who can work in this security critical area, which training is needed or how the authorities are informed about planned activities. Time and time again Leichtfried, because he is a state secretary, receives references to this safety gap of the district administrators.
Jörg Leichtfried is particularly problematic:
- At demonstrations or major events, there are always situations in which security staff take measures without a clear legal basis or are confused with police powers.
- Without compulsory training, exaggerated reactions, discrimination or misconduct can occur – with potentially dangerous consequences for those affected.
- The next status quo is very dangerous: authorities often find out afterwards which private forces were in use, or not at all. That means: authorities have no insight or former criminals working as safety.
- In the worst case, terrorist attacks can also be prepared under the guise of safety.
Jörg Leichtfried: “There is a clear reform delay”
This condition is no longer sustainable. The federal government has set itself the goal of making the security sector safer in the current government program. State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried now wants to tackle this project and quickly close the existing security slacunes: “A clear reform arrears has been in this area for years, although it is nothing less than the safety of people in public space,” the Spö State Secretary criticizes. Experts have been calling for reforms since 2007 – almost nothing has happened.
It is difficult to understand in this industry that you can still work in this industry without a mandatory training, without a standardized assessment and without a central registration. As an absolute minimum, he mentions a state assessment of all effects so that black sheep can be discovered. And it followed mandatory training with set standards.
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.
