How can I protect
myself?
Counterfeit
Currency
- Do not make any 'money deals' in the street
- Exchange banknotes only in banks or Bureaux
de Change.
- Tips, how to detect counterfeit currency, can be
found on the website of the Austrian National
Bank www.OeNB.at.
Credit Card
Fraud
- Make sure that your credit card is always
returned to you after completion of the payment.
- Never pass on credit card receipts containing
your data to another person.
- Learn your PIN-code by heart, or mask your
PIN-code as telephone number in your
cell-phone or address-book. Do not keep your
PIN-code together with your ATM-card or credit
card.
- When you enter your PIN-code, make sure
not to be watched when typing the numbers on
the PIN-pad. Use your hand or a bag as a
protection against being watched.
- If you notice anything unusual about the
cash-terminal, please inform the police
immediately.
- Should you lose your ATM-card or credit card,
have it cancelled immediately. The phone-
number to be used for reporting card loss or
theft are attached to the ATM-terminals. Also
report the loss to the police immediately.
Pickpockets
- Never place your wallet in your back pocket.
Rather use a neck-pouch, a firmly closed bag, a
money-belt, or a purse attached to your belt.
- Cash, ATM-cards and credit cards are best kept
in firmly closed inside pockets of your clothing.
- Do not carry any valuable items unless
absolutely necessary.
- Make copies of your travel documents, and
keep the originals in a safe place (e.g. hotel
safe). Should your documents be lost or stolen
nevertheless, report the loss or theft to the next
police station.
- Handbags and rucksacks should always be
closed, and best worn on the front side of your
body.
- Always keep an eye on your bags, valuables,
and rucksacks.
- If you have despite all caution fallen victim to
theft, immediately inform the police if there were
witnesses, name them.
Other points to be noted!
Weapons
Following weapons must not be carried into Austrian football stadia or
to any other public events (e.g. Public Viewing): firearms, knives, batons,
and knuckle-dusters. Do not take any self-defence weapons with you either,
as perpetrators might turn them against you, which could only increase
their violence potential.
Fireworks
It is also forbidden to let off fireworks and other pyrotechnical articles,
e.g. “Bengal Fire“, in the stadia. Even the slightest contact might cause
severe burns.
Alcohol
Traffic participants need to be aware that the maximum permitted blood
alcohol level is 0.5 pro mille. For your own safety, the police recommend
'don't drink and drive', rather use public transport instead.
Drugs
In Austria, import, acquisition, possession and dealing in illicit drugs
(heroin, opium, cocaine, hashish, marihuana, LSD, amphetamines, ecstasy,
or any other biogenic drugs, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms) is liable
to prosecution. Hence, driving under the influence of drugs is forbidden.
Penalties range from fines to withdrawal of the driving licence.
Security forces deployed during the EURO 2008
During the EURO 2008, around 27,000 police officers, including WEGA, EKO-Cobra, and riot police, will be deployed. 170 officers are so-called ‘spotters’ (scene experts) who will be in direct contact with the supporters to keep an eye on them.
Apart from officers from the Police Commands of the provinces where the host cities (Vienna, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, Innsbruck) are located, officers from other provinces will also be deployed. In addition, there is a special pool of especially equipped operational officers that can be transferred quickly.
The operational units are further supported by 850 German colleagues. They will mainly be deployed in Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Police officers from other competing countries will also support Austrian forces.
Security precautions in the host cities
The UEFA has issued Stadium Rules for the European Football Championship 2008, which inter alia regulates access control, and lists which items may be carried into the stadium and which not. Pursuant to UEFA’s safety regulations, sale or serving of alcohol is prohibited (except in the V.I.P. zones)
Besides, the Federal Ministry of the Interior was involved in the planning of the construction of new stadia, and in the upgrading of the existing stadia. Hence, all issues of importance to the police (control rooms, command centres and CCTV-systems) have been taken into account.
Security precautions in the Public-Viewing areas and the fan zones?
In principle, the organisers are responsible for safety and security in the Public-Viewing areas and in the fan zones, using the services of private security companies, and having to meet the requirements issued by the security authorities. The safety precautions in the Public-Viewing areas are supposed to be identical with those of the stadia. In the run-up to the EURO 2008, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has offered special training courses, and has – jointly with the provinces – developed recommendations (see 3. Organisers and Tradespeople).
Police measures against violent fans
The police will apply
the „3D-philosophy“
even when dealing with violent fans by implementing the three stages:
1. dialogue, 2. de-escalation,
3. determination. A special policy is in place regarding violent fans.
Alcohol
Traffic participants must be aware that the maximum permitted blood alcohol
level is 0.5 promille. For your own safety, the police recommend 'don't
drink and drive', but rather use public transport instead.
Advance Information
Already in the run-up to the European Football Championship, all competing
countries and neighbouring countries have been asked to provide Austria
and Switzerland with information on offenders known for violence in connection
with sports events, in compliance with bilateral and international agreements,
following the model of the FIFA World Cup 2006 and other international
football tournaments.
Hooligan Database
The so-called Hooligan Database contains data of persons who in the past
had displayed violent behaviour at football matches and are expected to
repeat doing so in the future. The data are available to each and every
police officer in Austria.
Exit ban
In countries, where it is legally possible, an exit ban (prohibition to
leave the country for the period in question) will be imposed against
football fans known to the authorities for violence.
Entry ban
As the border controls are going to be re-installed temporarily and situation-dependent,
individuals can be refused entry at the border under the Austrian Aliens
Act.
No tickets
Tickets for the games are not sold to individuals who are on record for
hooliganism.
No access
to the stadia
Violent fans are denied access to the stadia. The legal basis has been
provided by an amendment to the Austrian Code of Police Practice: hooligan
database, individual warnings of hooligans, off-limits zones, and obligation
to show up at a police-station at a given time.
Spotters (Football
Scene Experts)
170 spotters (officers who are in direct contact with the fans and well
familiar with the risk clientele), located at main venues (fan zones,
stadium and vicinity, etc.) will identify violent fans. The officers have
been monitoring so-called ‘risk fans’ weeks before the beginning of this
major sports event.
What measures are taken to combat crime?
Close international cooperation agreements have been entered already during the planning stage. Special preparatory C.I.D.-measures have been taken focusing in particular upon pick-pocketing, street crime, counterfeiting, property offences, smuggling of human beings/illegal migration, and drug-related crime. Austrian detectives and Liaison Officers from abroad will jointly make sure to have these types of criminal offences are dealt with thoroughly and quickly.
How well prepared is Austria for disasters?
Austria has a well-functioning nation-wide disaster management system including an excellent medical infrastructure. The host cities and the provinces have made additional comprehensive efforts to ensure security and safety of the EURO 2008, and to be well prepared for possible disasters. On match days, emergency staff of 500 will be available in Salzburg, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck, and more than 700 in Vienna to be able to cope with cases of mass casualties. Special attention is paid to ambulance services both for the stadia and the Public Viewing areas. All hospitals have set up adequate emergency schemes and will be able to increase their surge capacities during the EURO 2008. Furthermore, practical disaster management exercises have been held at all locations concerned.
Coordination with other emergency organisations?
Apart from high-ranking senior law enforcement officers, also members of the ambulance service, fire-brigade, crisis management of the provinces, UEFA, public transport, and the military commands will be represented in the Management and Command Staffs of the security authorities and the Operational Staffs of the Provincial Police Commands during the EURO 2008.
Who is responsible for what?
First and foremost,
the host and the organiser of the European Football Championship, i.e.
the Austrian Football Association and the company Euro 2008 SA (a subsidiary
company of UEFA), are responsible for ensuring safety in the four stadia
and their the immediate vicinity, in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and
Klagenfurt, and the team accommodations. The stadia were handed over to
UEFA on 12 May 2008.
Safety and security in the Public-Viewing areas (public areas, where the
broadcast of matches can be watched on video walls) and the fan zones
is to be ensured by the respective organiser and the private security
companies who have to fulfil the conditions imposed by the security authorities.
Police will be present both in the stadia and the public-viewing areas
and the fan zones, and will intervene should the need arise.
Outside the stadia, the Public-Viewing areas and the fan zones, public
security is to be ensured by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Fire protection, ambulance, emergency assistance, management of major
incidents, and defence against natural and civilizational dangers, lies
within the purview of fire brigade, paramedics, civil defence and disaster
management.
Entry visa regulations during the EURO 2008?
In order to facilitate entry into and stay in Austria and Switzerland for visitors from all over the world, special “EURO 2008 Schengen Visa“ have been introduced for the duration of the EURO 2008 that are valid also in Switzerland and in the principality of Liechtenstein. These visas are issued by the Austrian diplomatic representations. Further information can be found under www.bmeia.gv.at.
