5. apr. 2023 06:15 – Updated Apr 5 2023 07:03
On Maundy Thursday, the stage is set for the annual bandit party in Strömstad. Halden police are preparing to welcome the nachspielet, while landowners have cordoned off their plots.
– I hope my crew can just smile and stand and talk to people, but there is always someone who can’t cope with their intake, says local police chief Tore Løwengreen in Halden to NTB.
Every year, Norwegian robbers take over Strömstad in Sweden on Maundy Thursday. After the party in Strømstad, the robbers drive across the border in motorcades, and they often have nachspiel in Halden.
Løwengreen says they have stepped up the crew, but that they hope people behave.
Landowners in Halden have blocked off the plot
On Thursday, cloudy and gray skies are reported in Østfold, and gray weather is also reported in Strømstad. Since the robbers are a bit unlucky with the weather, the police chief does not think that the party will last until the next morning this time.
– It’s rare to get away with an evening completely without incident, but since it’s not forecast to be 10 degrees and sunny, we think people will go home a little earlier this year, says Løwengreen.
There are still many locals in Halden who are preparing for the robbers to take over the town.
– Many landowners in Halden have cordoned off their areas to avoid vandalism and destruction on their plots, says Løwengreen.
Welcome everyone
Over many years, car-loving and party-loving robbers, especially from Østfold, have made a name for themselves in the Swedish border town.
Last year, the police in Strömstad stated that 20 Norwegians were brought into custody for being drunk. Maundy Thursday is not a public holiday in Sweden, and many Norwegians take a trip across the border to shop, party or both. This traditionally causes a bit of chaos in Strömstad.
Swedish police have in some cases in previous years closed off parts of Strömstad to traffic on Maundy Thursday to prevent unrest. This year, the city has deployed police reinforcements, but the whole city is open and everyone is welcome, says Strömstad mayor Kent Hansson to NTB.
– We have chosen to keep the entire center open and have not blocked off any areas. We welcome everyone, says Hansson, who hopes everything goes well and calmly for him.
– It’s only once a year that there’s a real party, and it must be allowed, says Hansson.
