According to information to TV4 Nyheterna, the police have raised the security level to prepare for a possible terrorist attack. The police in Stockholm confirm that personnel have been asked to be extra vigilant – but regarding the MP5 reinforcement weapon, the same decision applies as before: They must be available to patrolling units, but will probably not be visible in the cityscape.
A source for TV4 Nyheterna says that the police have raised the security level to prepare for a possible terrorist attack.
The police in Stockholm confirm that they have issued information to employees, especially patrolling police, to be extra vigilant.
– What we have done is that we have informed our staff, especially in the external service, of increased vigilance and awareness in order to detect terrorist threats. It’s about a mindset, how to interpret what’s happening around you, says police spokesperson Daniel Wikdahl.
No new decision on reinforcement weapons
The police in Stockholm already have a decision that certain patrolling units must carry the MP5 reinforcement weapon in their cars.
Several media have reported that the police must patrol with the weapons, but this does not mean any difference in practice, says Daniel Wikdahl at the police.
– Concretely, nothing has changed, we already had a decision about reinforcement weapons that are carried and are close at hand should a situation arise.
– The police often patrol in cars, so that they are taken away is nothing that will be seen by the public.
Difference in security level and terrorist threat level
The police security level, which has reportedly been increased, should not be confused with the national terror threat level determined by Säpo, Must and FRA jointly.
The official terror threat level against Sweden is still at a level three out of five, which means “increased threat”.
Fact: Terrorist threat levels
It is the National Center for Terror Threat Assessment (NCT) that assesses the terrorist threat level in Sweden. It is a permanent working group with personnel from the Defense Radio Agency (FRA), the Military Intelligence and Security Service (Must) and the Security Police (Säpo).
Since 2016, the terrorist threat level has been at level 3.
Source: Security Police