Youth crime in focus: Alarming figures and new measures!

Youth crime in focus: Alarming figures and new measures!

The annual crime statistics were presented on Monday, documenting an increasing number of crimes in Austria in 2024. A total of 534,193 reports were filed, an increase of 6,183 reports or 1.2 percent compared to the previous year. What is particularly striking is the significant increase in crimes committed by ten to 14 year olds, the number of which has almost doubled since 2020. Loud crown 48 percent of the suspects are foreign citizens, including many Syrian young people. These statistics shed light on a complex and multifaceted problem.

The figures show that the rate of complaints against Syrian citizens has increased by almost 35 percent compared to the previous year. In this context, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has already called for measures that could include, among other things, suspending family reunification for Syrian citizens. The Federal Criminal Police Office has set up a special task force for juvenile crime under the leadership of Dieter Csefan, which is increasingly focusing on the increasing number of crimes committed by young serious offenders.

Comprehensive picture of juvenile crime

However, juvenile crime is not a minority phenomenon. Bpb reports that the majority of young people who become delinquents generally stop their behavior as they grow up. Serious forms of juvenile crime are rather rare. The majority commit minor offenses, although differences between male and female adolescents in the frequency of offenses are particularly significant for more serious offenses.

In addition, current data from Lower Saxony shows that up to 70 percent of students said they had committed a crime in the last 12 months. A nationwide student survey showed that 43.7 percent of male students and 23.6 percent of female students reported crimes. These figures represent a challenge, particularly in terms of society's perception and the inclusion of foreign young people in crime statistics.

Causes and prevention

The causes of juvenile crime are complex. Socioeconomic factors, family backgrounds, educational access and peer influences play an important role. Living Quarter emphasizes that the existing legal framework, such as the Youth Court Act (JGG), places the educational aspect above punishment. Educational measures range from requirements to social training courses to community service.

Numerous programs are necessary for prevention, which should be installed both locally and regionally. The involvement of communities and parents plays a central role here. Programs to promote social skills and cooperation between schools and youth authorities are essential to provide young people with preventive support and to counteract crime.

In summary, the current statistics and their analysis show that a targeted and multi-faceted approach is required to get to the root of the problems of juvenile crime. This includes both legal measures and preventive programs in schools and communities in order to adequately address the challenges.