Calmer New Year compared to last year

– I have noticed that the police had a different strategy compared to last year. I appreciate that the police handled it differently than last year, says Pierre Månsson (L), Municipal Commissioner. Rockets were also fired against police and emergency services in Kristianstad this New Year. But compared to last year, when two reports of violent riots were filed, it has been considerably calmer.

– It’s a step in the right direction; overall it has been very quiet with a few rockets being fired in total. I think it's great that everyone does something together, says Commune Police Martin Thornell.

Last Friday, the emergency services had to interrupt their work in Näsby after being fired at with fireworks. On New Year's Eve, two people were also detained after firing rockets towards the public and police.

Both the police and emergency services had prepared themselves for a worse scenario after last year's incidents and had more staff on duty. Great effort has also been put into the preventive work; this includes providing information through the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, but also by the emergency services' supervision of stores selling fireworks.

However, everyone involved emphasises that further work is required to counteract rockets being fired in the future.

Last year, regulations were introduced which required additional permission for rockets on a stick, and it is hoped that this will have a calming effect.