Armed bank robbery in Dornbirn: Police launch major manhunt!

Armed bank robbery in Dornbirn: Police launch major manhunt!

On June 30, 2025, a Sparkasse branch in downtown Dornbirn was attacked. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. The armed perpetrator is currently on the run, which has prompted the police to launch a large-scale manhunt. Numerous patrols, civilian forces and possibly a helicopter are deployed on site to catch the perpetrator. At this early point in the investigation phase, no further details were available about the weapon used, the loot or possible injuries 5min.at reported.

This raid is a current example of the growing crime in Austria, which reached a peak of around 528,000 reported crimes in 2023, which is the highest number since 2016. Over a third of these crimes occurred in Vienna, which underlines the worrying situation in the capital. In addition, there were around 85,400 highly publicized offenses in 2023, a record number. Concerns about crime in the country are widespread and 70% of Austrians believe that immigrants are exacerbating crime problems Statista communicates.

Reactions to the attack

The police responded to the attack with an alarm search. The use of civilian forces and possibly a helicopter shows that the seriousness of the situation was clearly recognized. Quick action by the authorities could be crucial in quickly catching the fugitive and avoiding further danger to the population.

In recent years, various types of crimes in Austria have changed and expanded significantly. Economic crime and cybercrime in particular are constantly increasing. Approximately 103,000 white-collar crime cases were reported in 2023, marking an increase for the eighth consecutive year. Cybercrime is also a growing problem, with around 65,900 reported crimes and a clearance rate of just 31.6%.

Social perception

The incidents and statistics have affected trust in the police. Although 77% of Austrians say they trust the police, fear of increasing crime remains a central issue. This is also underpinned by the decline in feelings of security in some parts of the city. The attack in Dornbirn could reinforce these fears again and fuel the public debate about security and crime.

The day's events demonstrate once again that the security situation in Austria is complex and challenging. It remains to be seen how the police will handle the situation and whether the perpetrator can be caught in a timely manner in order to restore a feeling of security to the population. Further information on the raid is expected and can be found on ORF Vorarlberg be tracked.