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ARMED: The police will be temporarily armed for the next three weeks. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB
Police response personnel will be armed for the next three weeks. This is happening based on a more stringent threat assessment by the Police Security Service (PST).
The case is being updated.
The Police Directorate has decided to implement national measures to strengthen police preparedness throughout the country, the Police Directorate writes in a press release Wednesday.
Starting Thursday, November 5, temporary weapons of emergency personnel will be introduced throughout the country for a limited period of up to 3 weeks.
– The most important job of the police is to secure the population. The role of the Police Directorate is to coordinate the efforts of the police and implement measures that ensure the best possible preparation throughout the country. The threat level has not changed, but on the basis of the heightened threat, the police have implemented measures that we believe are necessary, says Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland in the press release.
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PST: acute threat from extreme Islamism
Improved threat image
The Police Security Service (PST) is responsible for assessing the threat situation in Norway.
On October 30, PST released an updated threat assessment in which the threat level has not changed, but the threat from extreme Islamism has intensified.
There is no concrete threat to Norway, but recent events in Europe are a reminder that police must always be aware that unwanted incidents may occur.
The Norwegian Police Directorate is in close dialogue with PST about how the situation in Europe affects Norwegian conditions.
– The most important job of the police is to secure the population. We have a close dialogue with PST on how the situation in Europe affects Norwegian conditions, and we make continuous assessments on whether it is necessary to take measures that respond to the development of the threat image, says Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland.
DIÁLOGO: Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland says they have a close dialogue with the PST on the situation in Europe. Photo: Terje Bringedal, VG
Encourage people to live normally
The PST Threat Assessment describes how likely a possible attack motivated by extreme Islamism is carried out by an individual attacking public gatherings or token targets such as police and defense personnel. The means of attack in any attack is likely to involve stabbing or stabbing weapons or vehicles.
– Therefore, arming is considered an important measure for self-protection and to ensure the speedy response of the police in order to avoid or adequately respond to such incidents, says Bjørnland.
– During the period, the population may experience a greater presence of visible and armed police. As we assess the situation now, the police encourage everyone to continue normal daily life, concludes Bjørnland.
The case is being updated
