Police and local communities have expressed concern about the development of criminal networks in Norway. In Northern Norway, Swedish players are seen as the biggest threat. In Eastern Norway, more police and good leisure activities are pointed to as good solutions. And in Western Norway last year, the cocaine seizure of all time was made. In May, it became clear that the Government is increasing its efforts against criminal networks by NOK 300 million in 2024, and NOK 600 million until next year. It is now clear how the money will be distributed. Oslo gets almost NOK 20 million more than the next county on the list, in addition they get an extra NOK 95 million for their national preparedness tasks. To be crushed with more police and new technology Further north in the country, in recent years, just like further south, a tougher criminal network has become. A month ago, the police in Tromsø informed about what they describe as a serious situation, and some of the activity is said to be linked to the Swedish network Foxtrot. Members of Foxtrot have also allegedly been observed in Bodø, and the police established in April that the environment is developing: – It has obviously become tougher, said Gunnar Holm, section leader for investigations at the police in Nordland to news. The three northernmost counties all get more money to handle development, but Troms is in a special position with an allocation of NOK 17.1 million this year and NOK 37.4 million in 2025. Siv Mossleth (Sp) is clear that these are important funds in the fight against criminal networks. Photo: William Jobling / news Storting representative from Nordland, Siv Mossleth (Sp), emphasizes that the police in the north are concerned about the Swedish criminal networks that trade in drugs. – Efforts are now being intensified to reverse this cross-border crime. Criminal networks must be crushed with more police, joint efforts and new technology, she says and adds: – We must also prevent young people from using narcotic substances and thereby becoming part of these networks. Much-needed funds Storting representative Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap) says the investment will prevent criminal gangs from gaining a foothold and cynical criminals exploiting innocent people in fraud. – In addition, the professional environments at Kripos and Økokrim, and the study offer at the Police College, are being strengthened. Now comes a focused effort against organized criminals, at the same time that more people who have trained as police officers will have the opportunity to work as police officers. Are you concerned about the development of criminal networks in Norway? Yes No I don’t know Show result The funds for the various districts come from the additional allocation to the police in the revised national budget. In total, an extra NOK 1.82 billion was set aside. The Oslo police district receives by far the most. Of this, Oslo Police District receives NOK 63.6 million, East Police District receives NOK 44 million. Group leader for the Labor Party in Oslo City Council, Marthe Scharning Lund, says these are badly needed funds. Photo: Hallgeir Braastad – In Oslo, we have seen a development both in terms of gang crime, juvenile crime and that the police have had to spend large resources on national preparedness at embassies and demonstrations, says group leader for the Labor Party in Oslo City Council, Marthe Scharning Lund. – This has meant that the police in Oslo have been in a very demanding situation, and I am very happy that there is now a real initiative, she says. Strengthens professional communities In Akershus, Storting representative Sigbjørn Gjelsvik is ready for the extra money. – A large part of the money will go to more police officers throughout Akershus. They will be used to hire more police graduates who are out of work, and to strengthen professional communities within organized crime, he says. In total, the allocation is increased by NOK 1.82 billion: The revised national budget was adopted by the Storting on 21 June. Allocations to the police will be increased by a total of 1.82 billion: Politicians in Western Norway are also happy about more money for the police. Hans Inge Myrvold (Sp) points out that the largest cocaine seizure in Western Norway, and that there is work against such cases which must now be strengthened in the police. – The government is concerned that the police should have the resources they need to prevent criminal actors from gaining a foothold, says the parliamentary representative for Hordaland, he says and adds: – The huge cocaine seizure at Husnes, where several criminals were convicted this spring, was the largest drug seizure in Norwegian history in Western Norway. It is this work that is now, among other things, being strengthened in the police. Published 05.07.2024, at 10.00 Updated 05.07.2024, at 10.25
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The government is strengthening efforts against criminal networks with several hundred million – news Nordland
