Stay Safe & Healthy In Villach

Crime

According to the 2017 crime statistics, the clearance rate for all crimes in Villach was 52 percent (2016: 46 percent). In addition, there were not a single drug or traffic deaths to complain about. The crimes that increased the most included cellar burglaries, drug offenses involving so-called light drugs and so-called internet crime.

Villach is generally a safe city, but it is not immune to crime. Therefore, it is advisable to take some precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Here are some tips:

Lock your doors and windows when you leave your home or hotel room. Do not leave valuables or documents in plain sight or unattended. Use a safe if available.
Avoid walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas. Stay on well-lit and busy streets. If you feel unsafe, call a taxi or ask someone for help.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not let yourself be distracted by your phone or headphones. Watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowded places like public transport, markets, or tourist attractions. Do not carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive jewelry. Keep your wallet and phone in a secure pocket or bag.
Do not accept drinks or food from strangers or leave them unattended. They could be spiked with drugs or poison. If you feel unwell or suspect that you have been drugged, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the police.
Be careful when using the internet or online services. Do not share personal or financial information with unknown or suspicious websites or people. Use strong passwords and antivirus software. Do not open attachments or click on links from unsolicited emails or messages. Do not send money or goods to anyone you have not met in person or verified their identity.
If you are a victim or witness of a crime, report it to the police as soon as possible. You can also contact the victim support service at 0800-112-112 or visit their website at https://www.opfer-notruf.at/. They can provide you with legal, psychological, and practical assistance.

Police

The Villach Police Department is located on Trattengasse in Villach as a branch of the Carinthia State Police Directorate. This acts as a security authority in the city of Villach. In addition to a police station, a police detention center, the city police command and the traffic inspection, an operational criminal service is also housed there. In addition, there are five other police stations in the city area on the main square, in the main train station (border and foreign police) and in the Atrio shopping center, as well as in the districts of Landskron and Neufellach. There is also a motorway police station in Landskron. The VIPER (Villacher Police Operations Reserve) acts as a special unit in the city. The city police commander has been Colonel Erich Londer since 2005.

If you need to contact the police, you can call the emergency number 133 or the general number 059133-26. You can also visit the nearest police station or use the emergency call points that are located in various places in the city. These are marked with blue signs and have a direct connection to the police.

To maintain security, the city of Villach relies on shorter police patrol intervals and localized video surveillance in conjunction with the provision of emergency call points. In order to combat the increasing spread of graffiti, the city is providing areas for legal spraying as well as financial resources from the budget to promote art in the city.

Fire and rescue services

The Villach-Stadt district fire brigade command is located in Kasernengasse in Villach, which also houses the Villach main voluntary fire station and a local branch of the mountain rescue service and water rescue. There is also a Carinthian Cave Rescue operation center in Villach.

There are a total of 21 volunteer fire departments in Villach as well as the Infineon company fire department. In 2013, the fire brigade had a strength of 874 active members with 48 vehicles who responded to 719 missions, including 96 fires. A further 322 people were non-active members, reservists and members of the fire brigade youth.

The fire and rescue services are responsible for preventing and fighting fires, rescuing people and animals from danger, providing first aid and emergency medical care, and assisting in disaster relief and civil protection. The fire and rescue services are also involved in various educational and awareness-raising activities, such as fire prevention, fire safety, and first aid courses.

If you need to contact the fire and rescue services, you can call the emergency number 122 or the general number 04242-2050. You can also visit the nearest fire station or use the emergency call points that are located in various places in the city. These are marked with red signs and have a direct connection to the fire and rescue services.

Hospitals

The Villach State Hospital, which opened on October 4, 1891, has eleven departments and four institutes, with more than 1,700 employees. In December 2003, the LKH Villach was the first general acute hospital in Austria to be accredited by the Joint Commission International and thus meets the highest international standards of quality assurance and patient orientation. The LKH has been extensively renovated and rebuilt since 2017. By 2021, a new central building with 400 beds, a modern operating theater, and an intensive care unit will be completed.

The LKH Villach offers a wide range of medical services, such as surgery, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, gynecology, pediatrics, radiology, and pathology. The LKH also has a trauma center, a stroke unit, a dialysis center, a pain clinic, and a palliative care unit. The LKH cooperates with various partners, such as the Medical University of Graz, the University Hospital of Klagenfurt, and the Carinthian Health Fund.

If you need to visit the LKH Villach, you can call the general number 04242-2080 or the appointment number 04242-208-2222. You can also visit the website at https://www.lkh-villach.at/ for more information. The LKH is located on Nikolaigasse 43 in Villach and is accessible by public transport or car.