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The background of the weapons is the evaluation of the Police Security Service, PST, which describes a tightening, especially in the threat of extreme Islamism.
– But they also describe a disturbing picture associated with threats from right-wing extremists. They feed on each other. This is what Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland tells NRK.
Police across the country will be armed as of November 5, following the new PST threat assessment.
Photo: Heiko Junge
The PST believes that it is “likely” that a possible attack, motivated by extreme Islamism, is carried out by an individual attacking public gatherings or symbolic targets such as police and defense personnel.
– It has been decided temporarily to arm the Norwegian police, our operational personnel, who are authorized to carry weapons, says Bjørnland.
The police are armed to be able to respond quickly in the event of a terrorist incident.
– We have seen that the threat has intensified. What we can face are simple terrorist attacks with the use of stab and stab weapons, vehicles, but also firearms and explosives. The ability to respond quickly will be absolutely crucial, says Bjørnland.
Those who are armed are operational personnel authorized to carry weapons.
– In addition, our staff could also be the target of terrorist acts.
Therefore, arming is also considered an important measure of self-protection,
According to the police director, the threat level has not changed. However, given the intensification of the threat, the police have implemented the measures they consider necessary.
– PST does not consider that there are concrete threats to Norway now, but it is a sharper picture, says Bjørnland.
Encourage people to live normally
Initially, the police will carry weapons for three weeks. Whether this spreads depends on the threat landscape.
– We relate to the PST valuation. It is a serious image. So our answer is temporary weapons and increased vigilance, says the police director.
Police across the country will carry weapons from November 5.
Photo: Leif Rune Løland / NRK Hordaland
Since the image of the threat is national, the police of the whole country will be armed as of November 5.
The recent incidents in Europe are “a reminder that police must always be aware that unwanted incidents may occur,” it says in the PST threat assessment.
– 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, says Bjørnland.
Higher now than this summer
On October 30, PST wrote that they believe the threat level in Norway remains moderate, but that the threat from extreme Islamism has intensified since this summer.
By that, PST means that it is “possible” for someone to try to carry out terrorist acts in Norway, for religious or Islamist reasons.
The background, according to PST, is that the tension between freedom of expression and what many Muslims experience as violations of Islam is growing in both Norway and Europe.
According to PST, critics of Islam in Norway are likely to continue actions that are perceived as offensive.
Al Qaeda and the Islamic State have recently called on Muslims of all countries to come for the rapes. In addition, radicals abroad, according to the PST, have asked Norwegian Muslims to avenge violations of Islam. They also believe that terrorist acts in France can help inspire people in this country.
At the same time, PST emphasizes that the majority of Muslims distance themselves from terrorism.
Far-right terror
The threat assessment to the PST also establishes that we are likely to see a greater degree of right-wing extremism. “The background to the assessment is that the struggles of right-wing extremists will continue to have a strong appeal. This is especially true in opposition to the religion of Islam, Muslims and other non-Western immigrants.
It is still considered possible that right-wing extremists will attempt to carry out terrorist acts in Norway by 2021. The PST assessment states, among other things, that “particularly relevant targets are politicians whom right-wing extremists regard as immigration liberals.” .
