Vienna Police Issue Warning Over Rising 'Acid Burglaries'

Police Alert Public to Dangerous Burglary Method

The Vienna Police Department has issued a public warning regarding a concerning trend of burglaries across the city. Perpetrators are employing corrosive acid, primarily nitric acid, to compromise and damage cylinder locks on apartment doors to gain entry. This method allows for quick and quiet access, often leaving minimal initial signs of forced entry. The police are urging residents to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious observations immediately.

Modus Operandi and Affected Areas

The burglars' technique involves applying corrosive acid to the keyholes of door locks, which then eats away at the internal metal components, rendering the lock vulnerable to manipulation. This method is particularly dangerous due to the highly corrosive nature of the acid, which can cause severe burns to skin, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes.

The incidents have been reported across various districts in Vienna, including Leopoldstadt, Brigittenau, Floridsdorf, Landstraße, Favoriten, Gumpendorfer Straße, and Mariahilf. Some properties have reportedly been targeted multiple times. Police spokesperson Philipp Haßlinger indicated that the total number of cases is in the 'low three-digit range', with some reports suggesting over 95 to 100 apartments affected since 2022.

Investigation and Perpetrators

This method of burglary has been observed in Vienna since at least 2022, with a noticeable increase in incidents throughout 2024 and continuing into 2025. An earlier series of approximately 55 break-ins between 2022 and 2023 was attributed to a Georgian gang, many of whom were subsequently arrested. However, a new wave of acid burglaries began in 2024, leading investigators to suspect an internationally operating group of perpetrators. The primary targets for theft are typically jewelry, gold, and cash, with high-priced electrical appliances generally left untouched.

Safety Advice and Prevention

The Vienna Police Directorate has issued critical safety guidelines for citizens:

• If you discover any damage to your door lock or an unknown liquid on or near it, avoid all contact with the substance.
• In the event of accidental contact, immediately neutralize the affected area with clean water. Do not use soap or other additives.
• Notify the police immediately by calling the emergency number 133.

To enhance home security against such attacks, experts recommend upgrading to high-security locks featuring hardened steel components, reinforced keyways, and anti-drill plates. Additional protective measures like security shields, armored bolts, or acid-resistant coatings can also provide increased deterrence. The Austrian police utilize a 'Crime Atlas', a GIS-based tool, to track and analyze crime patterns, including these acid burglaries, to identify hotspots and inform prevention strategies.