The wave of violence continues to hit Sweden, not least when it comes to blasts. It is worst in the police region south, with Stockholm as second.
According to the police, the explosives used are both powerful and readily available.
Sometimes it is dynamite that slams into cars or stairwells. But also so-called bangers, big firecrackers that are mostly for sounding, are common.
"It's about half-half," says Malin Nygren, head of the police's national bomb data center, which has been in operation for three years and is part of the police's initiative.
"Can take an arm"
According to Henric Östmark, head of the Department of Arms, Protection and Security at the Swedish Defence Research Institute, dynamite has more explosive power. But that doesn't mean bangers are harmless – some contain up to 100 grams of explosive.
"Dynamite is used to blow up civilians, a safe product. If you hold a banger in your hand, you can lose half your arm," he says.
It is not only the risks that distinguish pyrotechnics from dynamite, but also availability. Bangers can be purchased on the internet.
– It is forbidden to import them to Sweden, and it is forbidden to send them by ordinary postal packages, but it is done.
Swedish Customs has seen an increase in the number of explosives. So far this year, almost 24,000 explosives have been seized, compared to 3,600 in 2021. These are almost exclusively pyrotechnics, with occasional cases of heavier explosives.
The solution: Collaboration
Malin Nygren sees the blasts as a major problem, but points out that the figures can be misleading.
"They are based on the number of reports with the crime heading 'general hazardous destruction'," she says, explaining that they also include accidents after someone has played with firecrackers or the like.
In order to solve the problem, Malin Nygren believes that more cooperation is required, both within the police and with other authorities. In addition, there is a need to work internationally to stop imports.
"Some of the products are subject to EU regulations.