Two planned public gatherings risk becoming rowdy on Saturday and the police in Norrköping have set up a regional special event. A Koran burning and pro-Palestinian demonstration must take place simultaneously and closely.
– From experience with other Koran burnings, there have been occasions where it has been noisy, says Frida Braf, local police area manager in Norrköping.
Both a pro-Palestinian demonstration and a Koran burning are to be held in Norrköping on Saturday – at the same time. In connection with granting these public gatherings, the police in Norrköping have also established a regional special event, something Norrköping’s newspapers was the first to report on.
– The fact that we have several public gatherings at nearby places and times is one of the reasons for our assessment to establish a regional special event, says Frida Braf, local police area manager in Norrköping.
The police have a close collaboration with the intelligence service and prepared through a close dialogue with organizers, parishes and the municipality.
– From experience with other Koran burnings, there have been occasions where it has been noisy. We have set up a regional special event so that we will have the conditions to lead the business and face any disorder. It is a way of being able to organize and take care of a larger event, says Braf.
Called in reinforcements
Ahead of the gatherings, the police have staffed up with extra staff and called in extra reinforcements to ensure that the public will feel safe on Saturday.
– We have many police officers with the right skills such as uniformed police, area police and dialogue police.
However, the police still have no information on how many people are expected to participate in the public gatherings on Saturday. But there is no cause for public concern.
– We work to create security and prevent crime. Our main task tomorrow is to ensure public order and the event. You have to live as usual, says Frida Braf.