Bloody dispute in Villach: young people with a knife and impact ring threatened!

Bloody dispute in Villach: young people with a knife and impact ring threatened!

In the early morning hours of May 18, 2025, a dangerous incident occurred in the parking lot of a discotheque in Villach, in which several young people got into a discussion. At 1:10 a.m., two young people initially unknown adolescents threatened a group of five other young people with a folding or jumping knife and a whipping ring. All participants came from the Spittal/Drau district and were between the ages of 17 and 19. This incident is not only worrying, but also throws a light on the increasing youth violence that has increased in recent years.

The warning words of the police responsible became true quickly. The local authorities immediately initiated a search in the urban area to grasp the fleeting suspects. After intensive investigations, a 20-year-old Iraqi citizen from Villach was arrested on the same day. It was taken up by the SIG special unit and brought to the Villach police recharge center. While the investigation goes on due to the incident, the second suspect remains on the run.

security situation among young people

This incident in Villach is related to a general increase in youth crime in Europe and especially in Germany. According to reports, the youth crime there reached a maximum of 13,800 registered cases in 2024, which is more than twice as high as in 2016. This shows that the increase in violence among young people, including such incidents with weapons, is a widespread problem.

The causes of noticeable climbs in youth violence are complex. Factors such as psychological stress caused by the Corona measures, as well as risk factors in young people are mentioned as possible explanations. In Germany, almost three quarters of the young suspects were male in 2024, which is also remarkable for Villach, where men are disproportionately involved in violent incidents.

social challenges

The high number of young criminals raise questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and prevention. While some discussions about tougher punishments and a reduction in the penalty are conducted, it is increasingly important to implement preventive measures. The statistics show that between 1998 and 2024 the number of young criminals fell significantly, but the increase in violent offenses remains alarming.

The incident in Villach is only a look at the challenges with which many cities are faced. It is of essential importance that not only the police, but also schools, families and social institutions work together to protect the youth and to prevent future violence.

reports of such incidents are an important memory of the responsibility that we as a society to keep young people from a criminal life and offer them a safe environment.

For more information about the incident in Villach, see the reports of click Carinthia and My district . In addition, Statista offers comprehensive data on youth crime and the underlying trends.