Weapons Ban at Vienna's Reumannplatz: Karner Sees Success Despite Ongoing Knife Attacks

On Tuesday, the police in Vienna-Favoriten - around Reumannplatz and Keplerplatz - conducted another focused operation against youth crime late into the night. In recent months, there have been multiple knife attacks, particularly at Reumannplatz, despite the weapon ban. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) still considers the weapon prohibition zone, in effect since March 2024, to be effective, as he stated on Tuesday.

Karner defends weapon ban after new knife attacks

Since its implementation, 187 weapons have been taken out of circulation, 131 of which were knives. This is "an impressive record," Karner said on Tuesday evening to journalists. Therefore, it is "necessary that we continue to maintain the pressure of controls and focused operations," explained the head of the department. He also expects a long-term reduction in youth crime through the halt of family reunification.

In March of the previous year, a task force to combat youth crime was established under the leadership of the Federal Criminal Police Office and the operational commands of individual state criminal police offices. Karner drew a positive conclusion. In the course of the operations, 2,470 minors have been reported and 147 arrested. Nationwide, the number of suspects aged between 14 and 21 has decreased by about five percent, according to the Interior Minister. However, in Vienna, the number of young suspects has increased by nine percent.

Syrians involved in knife attacks at Reumannplatz

On June 16, three people had to receive emergency medical care after a knife attack at Reumannplatz. Already at the beginning of June, a 33-year-old Syrian was slightly injured in the weapon prohibition zone, and previously another Syrian suffered a stab wound to the abdomen in May. The police have since identified five Syrian suspects who were involved in the attack on June 16. "Five suspects were recognized from images. The perpetrators are all between 16 and 24 years old," said Deputy Police President Franz Eigner. "The case is now with the public prosecutor's office."

(APA/Red)

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