Tear gas may be used by the police to disperse crowds at the risk of rioting, but it has not been done for many years as there was no access to weapons, ammunition and trained personnel.

- We have long identified that we need a method to act at longer distances to public groups, says Jesper Molander, business developer in the special police tactics to the newspaper.

Purchased grenade guns

He sees tear gas as the most gentle alternative in some cases, instead of going in with horses and dogs, or police with pepper spray and batons.

The tear gas shooters are to be distributed to the three police regions Stockholm, West and South. The police department has purchased grenade guns used to fire tear gas grenades that burst above a crowd.