Vorarlberg leaders seek powers to detain underage repeat offenders

After a 72-year-old man was seriously injured in a robbery in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg Governor Markus Wallner is again calling for a legal basis to place repeat offenders below the age of criminal responsibility in compulsory accommodation. Dornbirn Mayor Markus Fäßler also wants clear legal powers introduced quickly, ORF reports.

Two 13-year-old boys allegedly attacked the man overnight from Monday to Tuesday. Police said on Wednesday evening that they had identified the boys, who had already committed more than 300 offences this year.

Wallner said the attack was shocking and renewed his call to lower the age of criminal responsibility, currently 14. He argued that the boys’ alleged record warranted the strongest consequence: compulsory placement. He said a delay or refusal by Justice Minister Anna Sporrer would no longer be acceptable, adding that ignoring the problem could threaten public safety.

Fäßler urged lawmakers to establish clear, binding consequences before a more serious incident occurs. He also called for parents to be held more responsible, saying public safety must come first.

Vorarlberg Deputy Governor Christof Bitschi and state councillor for security Markus Klien, both from the FPÖ, announced a security summit on how to deal with repeat offenders below the age of criminal responsibility. They plan to bring together the state police directorate, child and youth welfare services, relevant authorities and representatives of the judiciary to assess which measures could be improved or applied more consistently. They also called for changes to juvenile criminal law.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said concrete measures were needed to address youth repeat offending and that he was in close contact with Sporrer. He said he considered prison-like stays for children under 14 absolutely necessary.