13-year-old arrested with automatic weapon • Man shot to death • Several grenades found
A fatal shooting, several suspected dangerous objects and a stopped assassination attempt.
Malmö has been shaken by several acts of violence recently and the police are now working to cool down the situation.
– We know that there are serious conflicts between serious criminal individuals and groups. It has been a quieter period in Malmö, but now we have seen several acts of violence recently, says Nils Norling, press spokesperson at the police.
On Monday last week, a 25-year-old man was shot dead in Malmö. The murder took place in the middle of the day in the Rosengård district. The police were alerted to several loud bangs and the injured man was found on the spot.
Witnesses saw a person running from the scene and a few hours later the police were able to arrest an 18-year-old man. He was later arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and aggravated weapons offences.
Several acts of violence in a short time
In the week after the murder, the police received a large number of calls about suspected dangerous objects. Several locations were cordoned off and bomb disposal was called in. Outside a restaurant in central Malmö, an explosion occurred and the bomb shelter had to neutralize several hand grenades.
– It is difficult to say what is behind it. We primarily look at the objects that we have determined to be dangerous and explosive and what they may be aimed at. The majority of those we investigated were not dangerous, says Nils Norling, press spokesperson at the police.
At the same time, the large number of alarms may be linked to the fact that more and more Malmöites have become aware.
– There is certainly a measure of people who are a little more attentive. If you see something that doesn’t add up, you contact the police. It’s great, we want people to do that, says Nils Norling.
“Will do everything we can to cool down”
On Saturday, a 13-year-old was arrested by the task force at a hotel in central Malmö. According to the information, he was armed with an automatic weapon and was recruited to carry out an act of violence. Police have confirmed the arrest and the boy has been taken into the care of social services.
– Somewhat later we were able to arrest a 17-year-old boy. He is now under arrest on suspicion of preparation for murder and aggravated weapons offences, says Nils Norling.
The police are now working with several targeted initiatives in Malmö. The police presence has increased, controls have been carried out and conversations are also held with individuals who are known to be involved in the conflict environment.
– We know that there are serious conflicts between serious criminal individuals and groups. It has been a quieter period in Malmö, but now we have seen several acts of violence recently. We will do everything we can to cool them down, it is a work that is going on at full speed right now, says Nils Norling.
Not current with safety zone
Since last spring, the police have a new tool they can use: security zones, also called visitation zones. The purpose of the new tool is to increase security and make it more difficult for criminals by being able to body search people and search vehicles, without suspicion of crime.
The police have previously introduced safety zones in Södertälje and Norrköping, after the two cities were hit by several acts of violence in a short period of time. However, this is not the case in Malmö.
– It is a relatively new tool and one of many that the police have at their disposal. There are ongoing assessments about the types of interventions to be made. In the ongoing work, we are looking at everyone, but it is not current to introduce in Malmö, says Nils Norling.