During the summer, a number of high-profile acts of violence occurred in Norrbotten.

In a public place and at times of the day when many people are in motion.

"Creates feelings of insecurity"

But if you look at the statistics for the last five years, you do not see an increase in the number of serious violent crimes in the county.

On the other hand, the police seem to see that more violent crimes take place regardless of whether anyone sees or not.

- We have a society that is quite safe and then something happens close to us and creates feelings of insecurity.

You easily get the feeling that something is changing in society, even though it does not really do so, says Kenneth Vikström, Chief of Police, Norrbotten.

Two murders and several attempted murders

On the other hand, the police seem to see that perpetrators of violence less often care about the time and place of the act and in the video above you hear Kenneth Vikström explain.

Below you see a list of some of the serious violent crimes that occurred between the first of May and the last of August this year:

Haparanda, 26 May:

  • Attempted murder

  • Weapon: knife

  • They have fallen

  • Man in his 20s convicted of attempted murder and minor drug offenses to 4 years and six months in prison

Haparanda, 27 May:

  • Suspicion: Attempted murder

  • Weapon: knife

  • Investigation is in place

Pajala, June 29:

  • Suspicion: Murder and arson and violation of the peace

  • Two men and a woman were detained, the suspects are between 50 and 60 years old.

  • Investigation is in place

Notviken (Luleå), 30 July:

  • Suspicion: Murder

  • 25-year-old woman shot to death at a beach between 22 and 23 in the evening

  • Weapons: Firearms

  • The 32-year-old was arrested early

  • On Friday, three more men were arrested.

    Two of them on probable cause suspected of murder and the third of aiding and abetting murder.

  • The men are between 19 and 33 years old and are connected to both the gang environment in Stockholm and Hell's angels.

  • Investigation is in place.

Coastal city (Luleå), 6 August:

  • Suspicion: Attempted murder

  • Weapon: knife-like object of the type sheet metal scissors / secateurs

  • 32-year-old man is in custody.

  • Investigation is in place

Additional cases of serious violent crime during the summer:

  • 52 rapes

  • 19 cases of aggravated assault

  • 10 robberies

However, the number of reported serious violent crimes has been at a steady level over the past five years - read more here.