Forbidden Pyrotechnics at Record High: Thousands of Firecrackers Seized in Vienna

Approximately 5,400 prohibited pyrotechnics were removed from circulation by the readiness unit (BE) of the Vienna police last year. Manfred Ihle, commander of the unit, looked back on this record.

Thousands of Firecrackers Removed from Circulation in 2024

The number represents a significant increase compared to the previous year, as emphasized by the state police directorate. Despite intensive checks, the challenge remains due to new sales channels and increasing imports from neighbouring countries, it was said.

The BE not only supports the city police commands and state criminal investigation departments in focus actions, but also comes into play in major situations such as demonstrations, football matches or spontaneous occasions, or especially during the pre-Christmas period for pyrotechnic checks.

From Corona to Climate Stickers: High Flexibility of the Task Forces

"We are used to acting flexibly. We have to respond based on what happens," said Ihle. Flexibility and spontaneity are among the unit's basic strengths. Thus, the police officers of the BE have been part of the Corona competence teams set up during the pandemic, but also at the climate sticker protests of the "Last Generation" and on numerous other occasions at the forefront of operations.

This is also reflected in the now significantly increased numbers of the past years since its foundation on November 1, 2012, said Ihle. A total of 682,026 person checks, 24,191 arrests and 118,554 reports have been recorded for the readiness unit (BE) in the past 13 years. Ihle also referred to the statistics of special actions since the introduction of the BE and mentioned 12,533 operations, 43,649 action hours and 411,806 man hours.

Readiness Unit Founded Due to Problems in Vienna

The officers of the readiness unit are predominantly on foot and using public transport. The readiness unit was originally created from the realization that certain problems in the federal capital could not be combated with the previous police structures. Therefore, the troop was founded ten years ago with the aim of being able to deploy a larger number of officers quickly under a unified command throughout the city area.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.