After a record number of explosions, arson and several brutal murders, the past week has seemed calmer in the Stockholm area – according to the police, because the perpetrators did not have time to act.
– We have a murder that we have prevented when the perpetrators are on their way to the place where they have their crime tools with them and we know where they are going, says regional police chief Mattias Andersson.
Larger organization
According to the police, they have managed to prevent at least ten acts of violence just before they were about to be committed. Among other things thanks to tips from the public and taxi companies.
– It is people and organizations who call us and give tips where we can act quickly, given that we are running 24/7 with a larger organization than we usually are, says Mattias Andersson.
– Then we are talking about someone who calls 112 and tells them that there are some strange people with, for example, petrol cans or whatever it may be.
Affects operations outside the country
The special incident Frank allows the police to move resources from the rest of the country. Police Region West has sent around a hundred employees, both police and civilians, to Stockholm.
It has led to more overtime and it is tiring for the staff, but it is still the right way to work, says deputy Robert Karlsson, deputy regional police chief West, as it must also be remembered that the number of police officers has increased a lot in recent years.
– We have a serious situation in Sweden where all regions need to contribute and work together in that system. It naturally affects operations locally to a certain extent, he says.
New approach
Earlier this week, the police issued a warning about one new approach, linked to recent fires.
Young people take taxis to gas stations, fill petrol bottles and cans, and take taxis from there to the place where they then set fire to a property or residence.
Therefore, the police have sent out information to taxi companies to be aware of the behavior. If you see something similar, you are asked to contact the police on 112.