Crime statistics

Young people more frequently involved in robberies

In a total of 67 reports of robbery, almost all of them - 61 - were committed by young men and women under the age of 18.

(Bild: Patrick Huber)

Despite a slight increase in the number of crimes, Vorarlberg residents can feel safe. After all, Vorarlberg's police officers are once again at the top of the list when it comes to the crime clearance rate (62.5 percent).

Crimes in Vorarlberg have risen by almost seven percent compared to the previous year. While there were 21,103 offenses in 2022, the public prosecutor's office received exactly 22,492 reports of major offenses in 2023. "This is roughly in line with the Austrian trend and can be explained by both the decline during the pandemic and the increased number of online offenses," explained Walter Filzmaier, Deputy State Police Director, at the presentation of the Vorarlberg crime statistics for 2023.

The number of suspects without Austrian citizenship is also in line with the Austrian trend (see also page 12/13). They account for a whopping 45.2 percent of offenses. Germans are at the top of the list of offenders, followed by Turkish and Romanian citizens. These gentlemen are particularly frequently involved in theft, assault, fraud or negligent bodily harm in road traffic. The majority of "foreign suspects" are resident in Vorarlberg (46 percent). Eleven percent are tourists, only six percent are asylum seekers.

Domestic violence is still a major issue.

(Bild: www.viennareport.at)

According to Philipp Stadler, head of the Vorarlberg State Criminal Police Office, a significant increase in violent crimes (10.9 percent) is worrying. Of the 4512 crimes, 1023 were in the area of "violence in the private sphere". "It is striking that the figures for domestic violence are still significantly higher than before 2019 after a marked increase during the pandemic," emphasized Stadler. 61.9% of violent crimes committed were preceded by a relationship between the perpetrator and victim.

There were also two completed murders and three attempted murders in 2023. "A knife was involved in all five cases," reported the head of the State Office of Criminal Investigation.

Philipp Stadler and Walter Filzmaier (right) presented the Vorarlberg crime statistics for the past year.

(Bild: Sonja Schlingensiepen)

Stadler and Filzmaier are also concerned about the alarming figures for robbery and aggravated robbery involving young people. Of a total of 67 reports in this area, almost all - namely 61 - were committed by young men and women under the age of 18. In comparison: in 2022, kids were only caught 24 times after a robbery.

"Young robbers are usually after small amounts of money. The focus is not on enrichment, but on the crime itself. The main problem is the lack of awareness of wrongdoing," added Walter Filzmaier. In order to prevent the formation of youth gangs and related crimes, special officers will be deployed in future.

Clear-up rate once again over 60 percent 
The Vorarlberg police officers are of course particularly proud of the clearance rate. With 62.5 percent, the westernmost federal state regained first place. In the previous year, the Tyroleans (61.7 percent) were just ahead of their colleagues from the Ländle (61.4 percent).

"There are crimes, such as narcotics or shoplifting, where the clearance rate is almost 100 percent," explained Philipp Stadler. In the case of shoplifting, the reason is that many thieves go unnoticed and are not reported to the police. "Almost all of the crimes reported to the police have been solved." The clearance rate for robberies, rapes and homicides is also high (100 percent).

However, the number of solved cybercrime cases is less impressive (31%). However, there are often technical and factual limits to investigations. "If the perpetrator doesn't make a mistake, it is technically impossible for the police to identify them. And if we actually find out that the crime was committed from Russia, North Korea or certain African countries, it is de facto impossible to investigate or carry out a house search," said Stadler.