Versatile violence prevention work is being carried out in the Danish capital. According to the police, the 22-year-old suspect has used the city’s mental health services.
Copenhagen is grief-stricken after Sunday’s tragedy.
According to the police, there are no indications of terrorism. According to the police, the suspect, a 22-year-old Danish man, had suffered from mental health problems.
The tragedy in Copenhagen might have been preventable if the close circle had been able to interpret the symptoms of the suspected perpetrator.
Blaming the authorities for negligence would be unreasonable, however, as Denmark and especially its capital are pioneers in the world in preventing violence and insecurity.
Much safer than Stockholm
EIU’s follow-up study examines the security situation in 60 large cities. In addition to Copenhagen, the Nordics are followed by Stockholm, which ranked 10th in last year’s comparison.
The study evaluates the development of urban security in five different areas: digital, healthcare, infrastructure, environment and personal security experienced by residents.
By these criteria, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo were the safest in 2021, after Copenhagen. The most dangerous cities studied were Lagos, Cairo, Caracas, Karachi and Yangon.
Sunday’s shopping mall shooting likely means that Copenhagen will drop out of the top spot.
Close cooperation of the authorities
Copenhagen’s security has been improving for many years. It is the result of long-term work by the authorities.
The city uses the so-called SSP system, which aims to prevent violence through the cooperation of schools, social and health services, and the police.
Copenhagen police chief Søren Thomassen told his press conference that the suspected shooter had also received help for his mental health problems through the SSP.
Denmark’s gun laws are among the strictest in Europe. Civilians are not allowed to own automatic weapons. Acquiring semi-automatic and handguns is only permitted with a special permit.
People under the age of 18 may not acquire any weapons. An adult must justify why they want a gun carry permit. A hobby of hunting or collecting is suitable as a justification, for example.
Fewer gun deaths than in Finland
In connection with the purchase of a gun, a background check is carried out on the buyer’s possible criminal background or mental health problems.
The guns for sale are registered. Ammunition may only be purchased for a weapon registered to you.
In 2018, there were an average of 1.11 armed murders or murders per 100,000 inhabitants in Denmark. At the time, the corresponding reading in Finland was 2.65 and in the United States 12.15.