Ten people are so far suspected of participating in Thursday's riots in Linköping and Norrköping, but police area chief Malena Grann does not rule out that there may be more arrests.
- We will investigate this and have good technical evidence, which is a good investigation situation to move forward and find additional suspects, says Malena Grann.
The riot was triggered by the Danish right-wing extremist and leader of the party Tight Course, Rasmus Paludan, received permission to hold a general meeting in the two cities.
The police effort was met by protesters who wanted to stop the party leader.
- We were met by stone-throwing, physical attacks on our staff and equipment, and chose from time to time to back down.
Sometimes it can be wise to have a defensive approach so as not to risk the violence escalating.
Violent and threatening
The police resources taken out before the rally were not sufficient to deal with the unrest.
The police were therefore forced to call for reinforcements from other regions.
- We received that reinforcement fairly immediately and during the rest of the evening, says Grann.
She emphasizes that there should be room to react to what is said in a general meeting - but that the scenes that took place in Linköping and Norrköping were something completely different.
- We can never accept this type of violent behavior that we saw and that puts the public, police colleagues but also the perpetrators themselves in a violent and threatening situation.
Stolen police equipment
In connection with the riot, police uniforms and equipment were also stolen from police cars.
The police are said to have recovered a large part of the equipment, but can not answer whether unauthorized persons are currently walking around with police uniforms.
- We will investigate further whether something has disappeared, what in that case is what has disappeared and who in that case may have our tickets if that is what is missing.
The investigation must show that and we are working intensely with it, says Grann.
Is there a risk that you have come across more dangerous objects, such as weapons?
- What has come to my knowledge, they have not done.