Question in the state parliament

How can politicians prevent criminal children?

Juvenile delinquency is not only an issue for the police, but also for politicians.(Bild: motortion - stock.adobe.com)

Reports of young criminals have become the focus of public attention since the Halloween riots in Linz in 2022. Politicians also have a role to play: The ÖVP recently brought a lowering of the age of criminal responsibility into play. Today, the Neos are making juvenile delinquency an issue in the state parliament.

The number of charges against young people has risen steadily in Upper Austria in recent years. For 2023, the statistics recently presented by the state police department showed 1610 reports for 10 to 13-year-olds and 5750 for 14 to 18-year-olds.

Neos want "concrete information"
The Neos are addressing this worrying development in an oral question to Michael Lindner (SPÖ), the provincial councillor for youth protection, in today's session of the provincial parliament. They are primarily concerned with the group of under 14-year-olds who are not of criminal age. They want "concrete figures and information on how child and youth crime has developed over the past five years and what measures are being taken to hold underage offenders and their parents accountable", Neos youth spokesperson Julia Bammer told the "Krone" newspaper in advance.

Parents could be held more accountable for neglecting their custodial duties, for example through administrative penalties or adjustments to family allowances.

Julia Bammer, Neos-Sozial- und Jugendsprecherin

Lindner should also provide information on how often the child and youth welfare services were informed about crimes committed by minors during this period.

Making parents responsible
Instead of lowering the age of criminal responsibility - as called for by the ÖVP - a "comprehensive prevention strategy" is needed, says Bammer: "This includes greater responsibility on the part of parents as well as the use of anti-violence training and community work to put young people back on the right track."