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Security measures at Christmas markets: Police increase presence!
The police are increasing their presence at Christmas markets in Upper Austria and Vienna in order to counter the high terror alert level 4.
Security measures at Christmas markets: Police increase presence!
Following the tragic car fatality incident in Magdeburg this weekend, Austria is increasing security measures at Christmas markets across the country. Linz's deputy mayor Dietmar Prammer (SPÖ) and city councilor for security Michael Raml (FPÖ) announced that the police would have an increased presence in the areas visited. The Upper Austrian police have already announced that they will patrol the Advent markets more to ensure a safe environment. In the federal state of Salzburg, reference is made to an existing “security concept”, which is being adapted due to the already very high terror alert level in Austria. This warning level 4 has been in effect since Hamas attacked Israel in October.
In Vienna, the existing extensive security measures at the Christmas markets have been intensified again. According to David Pawlik, spokesman for the Vienna State Police Directorate, there is no specific evidence of a threat in Austria in connection with the events in Germany. Nevertheless, the police presence is increased in order to do justice to the general security situation. An incident in which an armed person with Finnish citizenship was arrested in Vienna shows that security forces are vigilant. Police concepts also remain unchanged in Styria and Carinthia, while in Vorarlberg special attention is being paid to security in public spaces due to the incident in Magdeburg, as a police spokesman confirmed.
International security cooperation
The Austrian and German authorities are in close contact to exchange information and continuously monitor the security situation. The Ministry of the Interior assures that the Christmas markets in Austria are “well protected” and that there are numerous preventive measures in advance. Despite the increased security precautions, those responsible emphasize that complete safety cannot be guaranteed and that everyone involved must remain vigilant.
The present security concept is part of ongoing efforts to protect citizens during the festive season and neutralize possible threats, as the police further explained in a statement from Vienna.