A phenomenon that is spreading throughout Sweden.
For several months, Swedish authorities have noted an increase in the number of civilians wearing bulletproof vests on Swedish streets, reports the Guardian.
Even more worrying, more and more children and young people, including those under 15, are wearing this equipment mainly intended to protect the thorax, abdomen and back against gunfire.
A real problem according to the police who consider that this equipment creates fear in the cities.
This is why police in the south of the country have called for a ban on civilians wearing them.
While supporters of body armor claim they help protect against injury, police in the southern county of Skåne, which includes the city of Malmö, have simply called for the sale to be banned to the public.
Also read: Woman killed during a “game” with a bulletproof vest: one of the suspects admits to having fired
“Who needs body armor?
Security guards and police officers need it for their work.
We do not believe that criminals are obliged to wear them,” said Patrik Andersson, head of police intelligence.
“They have no place in any state that is not at war,” he added.
In addition, wearing bulletproof vests would have led to more shots aimed at the head, he assures.
Became a sign of gang membership
For the police, these vests, which can cost up to 10,000 crowns (886 euros), have become a symbol of belonging to a gang and create fear in a context of violence.
Since January, no less than 30 shootings between gangs have been recorded and resulted in the death of four people.
Mattias Forssten, police chief of Sörmland county, west of Stockholm, says there are currently "more urgent measures" needed to combat the gun violence currently gripping Sweden than banning protective vests. .
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Gang violence remains at the forefront of the national debate, with growing concern about the young age of children who are its victims.
The Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, signed an agreement with Gérald Darmanin on Monday to strengthen their cooperation in “the fight against terrorism, radicalization, cybercrime, organized crime, delinquency and irregular immigration.
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