The investigations into the shootings and explosions of the past few days have been given the highest priority, and despite the weekends, the police have access to all the resources required, says Max Åkerwall, police chief in the Stockholm police region:

- We are doing everything we can to stop this.

But it is challenging.

We have a large geographical area to cover and there are ongoing conflicts.

Many times we see that it is young boys, almost children, who are behind this gross violence, and we see a lack of thinking about consequences.

"We take that criticism to heart"

As several of the recent targets seem to have criminal charges against the murdered rapper Einár as a common denominator, questions have been raised as to why the police were not more foresight. 

- The question is relevant, we take that criticism to heart.

But all these people move around and in different geographical locations in the region, in the country and abroad.

We cannot follow them around the clock, but we do everything we can to interrupt and prevent the next shooting and solve these heinous crimes, says Max Åkerwall.

Have done heavy reinforcement

He says that the police basically have a good idea of ​​which people could be potential targets, and now they are trying to protect them, as well as relatives and neighbors, in various ways.

Police officers from other parts of the country have been brought in to help with that work and with the investigations. 

- It is about increased police presence, mainly with uniformed police officers.

It is a strong reinforcement in the Stockholm region and specifically in these areas and in this conflict environment, says Max Åkerwall.

After the Christmas Day shooting, where a 27-year-old gang criminal was murdered, the police in Rinkeby made the assessment that it was an isolated incident and that the risk of revenge actions was low. 

- It was an unfortunate wording, but perhaps you shouldn't attach too much importance to what an individual policeman says in a pressured situation.

It is only after we have had time to collect material and make a collective assessment that we can put the puzzle together and express ourselves sharply, says Max Åkerwall.