Almedalen has increased security: “Are on their toes”

Over four days, around 30,000 visitors, a number of party leaders and other community leaders are expected to come to Visby for this year’s Almedal Week, which begins on Tuesday.

– Things can happen. We have taken height for it. We are on our toes, says security manager Jonathan Ahdrian.

The ambition is to maintain the openness of the week, even though the general security situation has worsened in Sweden.

The knife murder of the chief physician Ing-Marie Wieselgren, in the middle of the day and among hundreds of people, in 2022 led to a series of measures ahead of the Almedal Week in 2023. Since then, the terror threat level in Sweden has been raised to a four on a five-point scale.

No bag ban

In addition to police officers and security guards, the entire Almedal area will be under camera surveillance. Just like last year, there will be roadblocks with traffic barriers and a ban on flying drones.

Ahdrian emphasizes that security is created by many different actors, not just by the police and security guards.

Public safety courses have been conducted with officials and the organizers of the many events. The organizers are recommended, for example, to have hosts who welcome the audience to the events, among other things to detect people with deviant behaviour.

The officials, including the Almedalsvärdarna out in town, must be extra attentive. The mantra reads: “If you see something, do something”.

However, the bag ban that the police introduced last autumn for, for example, concerts and sporting events does not apply.

“On my toes”

Security manager Jonatan Ahdrian feels safe with the measures taken.

– But it is not a guarantee. Things can happen. We have taken height for it. We are on our toes, he says.