Photo: Gabriel Aas Skålevik / VG
The Oslo city council leader warns that he cannot guarantee that the capital will be safe next year without immediate measures. Now he is “begging” the government for help.
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– The rope has been stretched so far when it comes to the resource situation in the police, and there is a danger that it will break.
This is what city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg (H) says to VG. He points to an increase in youth violence and gang crime.
– At the same time, the criminal networks in Sweden show a greater interest in Norway and Oslo. In addition, tasks in the capital are increasing, among other things, due to the war and unrest in the world, he says to VG.
He adds:
– So this doesn’t work.
The police’s own staffing statistics shows that the Oslo police district had 75 fewer man-years on 30 September last year, compared to the same date this year.
FRESK CITY COUNCIL LEADER: – I am very worried, says city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg (H). Photo: Emilie Rydning / VG
– Going in the wrong direction
Eirik Lae Solberg (H) took over the city council leader’s office from Raymond Johansen two weeks ago. After removing the LO pennant Johansen left behind, he set about what he believes is one of the most important issues for Oslo right now:
The crime wave and police staffing.
A meeting with the chief of police in the city further worried him:
For the first time, the Oslo police district is no longer able to solve the ongoing police tasks without help. Police chief Ida Melbo Øystese said that last week. Now 44 police officers from almost the entire country have been ordered to the capital, many against their will.
CHIEF OF POLICE: – I know that there is a use for you at home, said Chief of Police Ida Melbo Øystese to the 44 ordered crews from various police districts in Norway last week. Photo: Hallgeir Vågenes / VG
– I plead with the government to strengthen staffing and get more police officers here, so that Oslo can continue to be a safe city.
– Is Oslo still a safe city?
– I believe that Oslo is still a safe city. But we have to do something, because it’s going in the wrong direction.
Lae Solberg points out that over 400 police officers are out of work in the police.
– We need them. These should get jobs as police immediately, many of them in Oslo.
CONCERNED: Lae Solberg says the Oslo police are in a staffing dilemma. Photo: Emilie Rydning / VG
– The same as importing organized crime
Lae Solberg believes the government is taking on a big responsibility if they do not put forward an additional proposal for a “significant increase” in police resources.
– In the current situation, cutting police budgets is the same as importing organized crime, he believes.
At the end of September confirmed Kripos that the Swedish Foxtrot network, which is linked to one of the worst waves of violence in Sweden in a long time, has established itself in Norway.
– Everything you are talking about now is on the government’s and the state’s table. Now you have just taken over Oslo, what are you going to do to make the city safer?
– The municipality must work closely with the police, and we must work well in prevention and ensure that children and young people get meaningful activities and are not recruited into bad environments.
Thirteen days ago, Eirik Lae Solberg became Oslo city council leader. He took over from Raymond Johansen (Ap). Photo: Emilie Rydning / VG
– These are things that the previous city council was also concerned with. What are you going to do differently?
– For example, we are going to introduce a leisure guarantee, which means that children and young people, regardless of their parents’ finances, have the opportunity to participate in leisure activities. Then we will strengthen the dropout programs.
– Will look at how much money is included
The measures the city council leader mentions were introduced before the election, when he and Erna Solberg launched a ten-point plan against youth crime.
– Are you in the process of introducing any of the measures?
– We are already working on several of the measures.
– You promised 75 million for this. Can you still guarantee that you will use that sum?
– I will ensure that those measures are carried out. Then, of course, we will look at exactly how much money comes with those measures. We’ll have to see that when we’ve worked it out.
VG has asked several questions to the Ministry of Justice in connection with this case, and asked for their comments on Lae Solberg’s statements. They haven’t replied.
Published:
Published: 12.11.23 at 04:56
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2023-11-12 03:56:02
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