The police are preparing for attacks: The question is not if - but where

 

"All police officers must prepare for The police The police are preparing for attacks: "

 

The question is not if - but where

Of:  

Nora Fernstedt,  

Linda Hjertén,  

John Granlund  

Published: Less than 20 min ago  

Updated: Very recently  

NEWS  

The police in Stockholm have started the special event "Doris" after the threat picture against Sweden increased. 

Now all the city's police officers are asked to be prepared for an attack. 

- You don't wait to see if something will happen against Sweden, but the question is where it will happen, says an informant.  

Säpo announced on Wednesday that threats of attacks against Sweden have increased after the Koran burning outside the Turkish embassy. It is about both threats within Sweden and against Swedish interests abroad. 

On the same day, the police in the Stockholm region decided to initiate the special event "Doris", which Aftonbladet was able to reveal yesterday.  

The terror threat level is the same as before: 3 out of 5. But all of Stockholm's police officers are now being asked to increase their vigilance. 

 - All police officers must ensure that they are mentally prepared for an attack and that they must check their equipment, says an informant. Among other things, the terrorist organization IS is said to have called for attacks against Sweden - and the threats are taken very seriously within the police. 

-There are serious threats that have been made, says the informant. 

 

Photo: Tomas Oneborg/SvD/TT  

Increased security for "important objects"  

"Doris" means, among other things, that the police must increase security at "symbolically important objects".  

What could it be for example? 

- I cannot go into that, says Anna Engelbert, press spokesperson at the Stockholm Police.

Anna Engelbert, press spokesperson at the Stockholm Police. Photo: 

The police According to her, the special event is about, among other things, "prioritizing and developing the dialogue with relevant actors in the local community, and following the developments in the surrounding world".  

But also about making employees and managers aware of the deteriorating situation, to increase attention and mental preparation.  

What does that mean? 

- It is always good to be vigilant and to be aware of the situation we are in. If the situation changes, it is important that you get that information quickly and can adapt to the situation, says Anna Engelbert.  

Details: Stockholm initiates terror preparedness  

According to information to Aftonbladet, the police in the Stockholm region have simultaneously started their "terror preparedness organization", which goes by the name "Argus". 

Argus was launched as a national operation after the terror threat level was raised from three to four in November 2015.  

At that time, it meant, among other things, that personnel were brought in to guard sensitive objects such as the state leadership.  

Police officers on external duty were urged to be extra vigilant, including during house searches. Säpo also asked the local police areas to spy on people with suspected terrorist connections, according to Aftonbladet's sources.   

The US warns: Avoid public gatherings 

Earlier this week, the US warned of potential terrorist attacks in Sweden. The American embassy urged its citizens in Sweden to "avoid crowds, keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings".  

Considering their call, what does the Stockholm police want to say to its residents? 

- The American embassy says what they say. The security police and the Swedish Police Agency make assessments based on the situation and what they think is relevant, says Anna Engelbert.  

Several countries are preparing a warning against traveling to Sweden, according to information. 

Danish Rasmus Paludan with a smoking koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Photo: Andreas Bardell

Facts  

Background: Muslim rage and the protests against Sweden  

Following Sweden's application for membership in the NATO defense alliance, Turkey has set several requirements in order to approve the membership. Demands that Sweden has not been able to satisfy. This has led to some heated discussions between the countries.  

Protest actions in Sweden against NATO and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have sparked anger in Turkey and led to protests. 

Here are some of the events that sparked anger:  

On January 11, a doll representing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hung by the feet outside Stockholm City Hall. The action, in which Erdogan was compared to the Italian dictator and fascist Benito Mussolini, has provoked strong reactions in Turkey.  

12 January Turkey summons Sweden's ambassador due to the puppet campaign. The following day, Turkey cancels the visit that the Speakers of Sweden and Finland were to make to the Turkish Parliament. 

On January 21, the Danish-Swedish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burns a Koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. The burning of the book upsets Muslims in Turkey, who are furious that Sweden allowed the action. 

Protests against Sweden break out and Sweden's embassy in Turkey is forced to close temporarily. There are also protests in other Muslim countries. 

February 6, the US embassy warns its citizens in Sweden. Among other things, they are asked to avoid crowds and "keep a low profile".  

February 8, Säpo warns of an increased number of threats against Sweden and assesses that the security situation has deteriorated since the Koran burning outside the Turkish embassy.