On Thursday, the Security Police held a press conference regarding the security situation in Sweden. Security police chief Charlotte von Essen announced that the terror level in Sweden is being raised from level 3 to level 4.
This means that the level changes from “increased threat” to “high threat”.
– Säpo can state that we are in a worsening situation regarding the threat of attacks against Sweden, and that this threat will persist for a long time, says security police chief Charlotte von Essen at the press conference.
“Strategic and long-term assessment”
She also emphasized that the decision is not made because of a single incident, but the security situation in Sweden.
– It should be seen as a strategic and long-term assessment, says Charlotte von Essen.
Furthermore, she says that Russia’s war in Ukraine has also influenced the decision.
– The decision to raise the terror threat level must be seen in the light of the deteriorating security situation in the outside world, above all as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The likelihood of attacks has increased
Ahn-Za Hagström, director of the national center for terrorist threat assessment, repeated the previous announcement from the authorities that Sweden has moved from a legitimate target to a priority target.
– We have assessed that an attack could occur, but that the developments we have seen recently increase the probability that an attack could occur, she says.
Susanna Trehörning, deputy head of counterintelligence and constitutional protection, also participated in the press conference.
– We must assess whether an actor has the intention and ability to commit an attack. When we have done that, we will take relevant measures, she says.
The call: Live as usual but pay attention
The head of the security police urges people in Sweden to be alert.
– The purpose of the decision to raise the level is for society to adapt its operations to reduce the risk of something happening. One intention of spreading hatred and threats is to create fear and insecurity, she says.
– The call to the public is to continue living life as usual, but pay attention to what the authorities provide for information and what instructions there are.
Charlotte von Essen also stated that she understands that today’s announcement can lead to concern.
– I understand that this can cause a lot of concern and a lot of thinking, not least from the public. Our message is still that we should live as usual, but of course be aware of the situation we find ourselves in, she says.
Shortly after Säpo’s announcement, the Swedish Armed Forces also announced that they are raising the terror threat level from level 3 to 4 on a five-point scale.
Facts: Säpo’s terror threat levels
The threat level consists of five steps:
1. No threat. No threat has been identified.
2. Low threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out attacks is low.
3. Increased threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out attacks is elevated.
4. High threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out attacks is high. Threat level four requires that there be a concrete threat to Sweden.
5. Very loud. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out attacks is very high. It is required that a concrete threat must be imminent or imminent. This level has so far not been used.
The decision on the terrorist threat level in Sweden is made by the head of the security police. Today, the terrorist threat level is a three on the five-point scale.
Source: Säpo