On Sunday, violent riots broke out in Rosengård in Malmö. Among other things, several cars were set on fire and masked people threw stones at the police. The incident occurred after a Koran burning in the Värnhem district.
Several residents in Rosengård believe that the police action was too passive and meek, but Petra Stenkula, police area manager in Malmö, defends the action.
– What went well was that we were able to limit the riot to a limited part of the Rosengård district, and we did not have to use more force than was necessary. We have no one in the public that has been hurt and no one in the police force that has been hurt either. What we have is material damage which unfortunately has hit the individuals very hard, she says in Aktuellt.
Compare with the Easter shopping spree
She compares it to the Easter riots last year, when the violence spread to other places, people were injured and a school started to burn. Then the police had to resort to both tear gas and warning shots.
– We did not want to see such a situation this time, says Petra Stenkula.
Even the chairman of the justice committee Richard Jomshof (SD) has directed criticism at the police.
“This is beyond all criticism. The police must of course act forcefully when situations like this arise. Participating in riots, throwing stones and burning cars must have consequences. Enter with riot police, imprison and deport where possible,” he writes on X, formerly Twitter.
An arrested
Petra Stenkula replies that she and many others who led the operation have extensive experience with riots.
– You have to analyze each situation and each place separately and it is not possible to sit in the stands and assess how it would have been handled.
One person has been arrested so far. Now the police will continue to analyze surveillance videos and try to identify the perpetrators of violence.
– We have several detentions that will take place this week and next, says Petra Stenkula.