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POLICE

Security risk elevated in lead up to New Year

As a result of a tip from a so-called "friendly" intelligence service, police in Austria are increasing precautions against a potential terrorist attack somewhere in the country.

Security risk elevated in lead up to New Year
Tightened security is expected at Vienna's New Year celebrations. Photo: Paul Gillingwater

According to a report from the Associated Press news agency, police in Vienna announced on Saturday that a tip received just before Christmas warned that several known potential attackers were planning a provocation using explosives or firearms.

A similar warning has been passed on to other major European capitals, but so far there are no concrete details, only suspicions.

For maximum impact, the attackers are likely to target events around the New Year, which is traditionally a time when large crowds of people gather in public events.

Police spokesman Christoph Pözel told the APA that he was aware of no specific threat, either as to place or time.

Police sources say they will be increasing surveillance of large crowds and transportation hubs in the time leading up to January 1st.  There are no plans at this time to cancel any of the planned events, however.

Crush

As usual, Vienna's central Stefansplatz square is expected to be massively overcrowded, with the U1 Stefansplatz station bypassed in the hours before and after the New Year event.

Revelers are advised to avoid the city centre if they suffer from claustrophobia.

Visitors wanting to attend must stop at an adjacent station, either on the U1 or U3 lines, and walk into the central city.  The lockdown will commence around 22:00.

The Stefansplatz station itself will be restricted to use by emergency services only, including the Vienna Ambulance Service.

The No. 1 tram will run a limited service, only between Stefan-Fadinger Square – Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring – Joefstädter Street and Prater Hauptallee – Stock Exchange – Nußdorferstraße.

The 71 trains will run only between Fickeystraße and Schwarzenbergplatz.

The Vienna Ring Tram will suspend service at 19:30.

The lines 30, 1A, 2A and 3A will not be in operation.

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TERRORISM

Terrorism and protests: The security dangers facing Vienna this year

The head of the Vienna police force has addressed the security concerns facing the city in 2024.

Terrorism and protests: The security dangers facing Vienna this year

The threat of terrorism is still present in the Austrian capital and “will still be with us in 2024”, according to Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl.

The head of the body called on federal authorities to increase police monitoring, especially in pro-Palestine demonstrations, according to statements he gave to Austrian media.

“There is this abstract danger, in general, as long as the situation in the Middle East is as it is, and there is no sign of any improvement. But there is no sign of any change in the Middle East either”, he said.

He added that the police look for a balanced approach in its fight against terrorism, trying not to “overdo” measures.

“You could simply not allow events to take place, you could say ‘please close churches’, only then you would achieve exactly what every terrorist wants, namely to destabilise the state, governments and society,” Pürstl said.

READ ALSO: German, Austrian and Spanish police alert to Christmas terror threat

Protests and gatherings

In 2023, Vienna police registered between 10,000 and 11,000 mass gatherings in the Austrian capital.

“Of course, there were also many small ones where the police had no work to do. But there were also many large demonstrations in 2023, including some very sensitive ones,” said Pürstl.

READ ALSO: Why did Austria vote against a Gaza ceasefire?

For 2024, he expects this number to “probably” double, especially since it is an election year in Austria. Additionally, with the situation still tense in the Middle East, many protests are still expected – including pro-Palestine demonstrations which, according to the police chief, “naturally also stirred up hatred and led to an increase in anti-Semitic statements”.

According to Vienna authorities, protests by climate activists are also on the agenda for the year. Last year, the police were deployed 160 times in connection with actions by climate activists. 

READ ALSO: Who are the climate protesters disrupting traffic in Vienna – and why?

There were around 630 arrests and around 1,400 charges in connection with climate action in Vienna, said Pürstl.

“This also has a cost of course. We have already invested around €1.6 million in personnel costs, which we could have put to better use elsewhere”, he said.

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