Södra Ryd is a district in Skövde with around 6,700 inhabitants. The district has had problems with various types of crime for a couple of years, which the police now believe has changed.
Figures from the police show, among other things, that violent crimes in the public environment in the district have halved between 2015 and 2019. Four years ago, 14 violent crimes were reported, so far this year seven reports have been made.
- A couple of years ago, we had some problems in Södra Ryd, including stone throwing and damage. We started with an increased presence and today we feel that it is calmer, although there are occasional events where there is still damage and stone throwing, says Mattias Johansson.
Drug crime is increasingDespite the development, the district is not without problems. Less than a year ago it burned in an apartment building in the district and hundreds of people were allowed to flee their homes.
The court case states that the cause of the fire must have been a underlying drug conflict and a person was sentenced to six years in prison for drug offenses and serious murder.
In addition, the reported drug crime has increased between 2015 and 2019. But that is why the police have an explanation.
- The more we work on drug offenses, the more crimes are reported and therefore the statistics go up, says Mattias Johansson.
But is there still drugstore open at the center?
- Not when we are there.
Investment in the districtThe police have in recent years strengthened their presence in the district by being more visible on the spot. The municipality, the real estate companies and the Swedish Church have also contributed, for example, to various activities for young people.
- partly to give people who do not live there a better and more nuanced view of the district, but also to make the district fresher and safer for the inhabitants, says Karin Holm Hagman, area developer in Skövde municipality.