- We had a very boring development in 2014-2015 with violent riots, violence against police and government officials in the area.

We had to change our tactics and work purposefully with this, says Jonas Eek.

Positive development in the area

In recent years, Araby has been one of Sweden's "particularly vulnerable areas", which is the most serious category on the police's list of areas where criminals have a special impact.

According to the police, the area can now be classified down to a so-called "risk area".

- We have seen a positive development in Araby since 2019 and that the exercise of authority in the area has changed.

We have created a safer area for those who live there.

It is a sustainable and determined work, says Jonas Eek.

Committed to society

Among other things, the police have managed to gain access to criminal networks and individuals with violent capital.

- We have succeeded in locking in perpetrators of violence and committed the whole society to creating a safe environment.

We have focused resources on a certain type of crime such as open drug trafficking and every week we have had a reconciliation with the municipality about the development.

Now we finally see a change.

Still one risk area

At the same time, the local police area chief emphasizes that the area is still a risk area.

- It is still a risk area and it is serious, says Jonas Eek.

As recently as the beginning of September, a man in his 30s was shot to death in Araby.

- Violent development is part of a risk area, so I can understand if people are wondering about it.

But it is not an individual shooting that decides.

It is about crime statistics and in-depth interviews with people in the area.

We will continue to work in Araby because we do not want to be a risk area either.

No change in police presence

Jonas Eek also says that the change from a "particularly vulnerable area" to a "risk area" will not affect the police presence in the area.

- There will be no operational changes and no slowdown in resources in the area.

The proposal that Araby should instead be classified as a risk area is something that the government will finally decide on in December.

- I am happy to be able to go in a direction that was targeted until 2022, says Jonas Eek.