Concern is growing about violence in shopping malls – new solutions “the wrong way”

The shopping center shootings have followed each other in recent days.
But Svensk Handel’s security expert does not believe in alarm arches and security checks in the entrance.
– We are quite sure that it is the wrong way to go, says security expert Erik Mangen at Svensk Handel.

Since the fatal shooting at the Emporia shopping center in 2022, Swedish Trade members have increasingly trained staff to evacuate and seek shelter in the event of ongoing deadly violence. They have also developed guidelines for preparing for and dealing with shootings.

But they don’t believe in introducing alarm arches and entry controls in shopping centers.

– We think it is completely the wrong way to go and send completely wrong signals that it is constantly dangerous, in the way that it actually is not, says Erik Mangen, security expert Swedish trade.

“Can’t be afraid at work”

In the space of four days, two shootings have taken place – in the middle of people inside the mall. The shooting in Sollentuna on Wednesday morning was the latest in the series.

– You can’t be afraid at work. It is really necessary now that we join hands, employers and us as the employee party and see what we can do to secure the working environment for our members, says Erik Mangen.

“Not aimed at trade”

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) visited Kungsbacka on Wednesday after the shooting at Kungsmässan this weekend. He was there to talk to police officers and store employees.

– We have a criminality with a capital of violence that is used in an increasingly reckless way when it comes to the risks to completely innocent people. We are now looking at the total that the shootings are decreasing, but the risks of new spirals of violence are constantly bubbling under the surface, says the Minister of Justice.

Just hours before the visit, the alarm came about today’s shooting in Sollentuna.

– This is a social failure that we see when we see minors running around with these weapons and shooting at each other. This is not aimed at the trade but will be the scene for this, Erik Mangen.

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