Data indicates crime surge in Austria linked to foreign nationals
According to the latest police statistics, nearly half of all offenses in Austria last year involved foreign suspects, with a notable increase among young Syrians. In 2024, Austria recorded over half a million criminal offenses, marking a 1.2%...
TroibNews 
According to the latest police statistics, nearly half of all offenses in Austria last year involved foreign suspects, with a notable increase among young Syrians.
In 2024, Austria recorded over half a million criminal offenses, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Interior Ministry on Monday. Out of nearly 336,000 identified suspects, 46.8% were foreign nationals.
The statistics show that over 150,000 suspects did not possess Austrian citizenship. Among these foreign nationals, those from Romania, Germany, and Syria were the most frequently identified. The number of Syrian suspects, which now exceeds 11,000, has risen by approximately 30% compared to 2023.
Youth crime has also seen a notable rise, particularly among individuals aged 10-14. Since 2020, reported offenses in this age group have nearly doubled, with foreign nationals making up 48% of young suspects. Syrian suspects have experienced a 35% increase in reported offenses compared to the previous year.
In light of these trends, the Austrian government has suggested implementing stricter measures, including mandatory counseling for minors, case conferences for repeat offenders, and specialized residential communities under judicial oversight with temporary mandatory stays.
As of early 2024, Austria was home to nearly 100,000 Syrian refugees. Following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December, Austria, along with several other EU countries, paused pending asylum applications from Syrians to reassess the situation.
Additionally, Austria has suspended family reunifications and issued at least 2,400 notices to revoke refugee status.
Germany is facing a similar challenge, with 41% of crime suspects in 2023 being non-German nationals, despite foreigners making up only around 15% of the population.
In reaction, German authorities have committed to enhancing integration efforts and expediting the deportation of foreign offenders.
Anti-immigration sentiment in Austria has risen following a stabbing attack in February, during which a 14-year-old boy was killed and five others injured by a Syrian asylum seeker. Austrian officials labeled it an “Islamist attack,” noting that the 23-year-old suspect had been radicalized online “in a short space of time.”
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
In 2024, Austria recorded over half a million criminal offenses, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Interior Ministry on Monday. Out of nearly 336,000 identified suspects, 46.8% were foreign nationals.
The statistics show that over 150,000 suspects did not possess Austrian citizenship. Among these foreign nationals, those from Romania, Germany, and Syria were the most frequently identified. The number of Syrian suspects, which now exceeds 11,000, has risen by approximately 30% compared to 2023.
Youth crime has also seen a notable rise, particularly among individuals aged 10-14. Since 2020, reported offenses in this age group have nearly doubled, with foreign nationals making up 48% of young suspects. Syrian suspects have experienced a 35% increase in reported offenses compared to the previous year.
In light of these trends, the Austrian government has suggested implementing stricter measures, including mandatory counseling for minors, case conferences for repeat offenders, and specialized residential communities under judicial oversight with temporary mandatory stays.
As of early 2024, Austria was home to nearly 100,000 Syrian refugees. Following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December, Austria, along with several other EU countries, paused pending asylum applications from Syrians to reassess the situation.
Additionally, Austria has suspended family reunifications and issued at least 2,400 notices to revoke refugee status.
Germany is facing a similar challenge, with 41% of crime suspects in 2023 being non-German nationals, despite foreigners making up only around 15% of the population.
In reaction, German authorities have committed to enhancing integration efforts and expediting the deportation of foreign offenders.
Anti-immigration sentiment in Austria has risen following a stabbing attack in February, during which a 14-year-old boy was killed and five others injured by a Syrian asylum seeker. Austrian officials labeled it an “Islamist attack,” noting that the 23-year-old suspect had been radicalized online “in a short space of time.”
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
