Crime and public disturbances at sports events
Hooliganism or sports-linked violence leads to major problems and high costs, and damages sport as a source of pleasure. During its term of office, the Government has taken initiatives for several measures to combat public disturbances at sports events, partly through meetings with representatives of sports associations and organisations and partly through more stringent legislation.
The Government has implemented stricter provisions in the Public Order Act and the Act prohibiting entry to sports facilities. As of 1 April 2009, new rules apply to the Act prohibiting entry to sports facilities and the Public Order Act. These aim at increasing protection against public order disturbances at sports events. They include
- A prohibition on the possession or use of pyrotechnical goods at a sports facility.
- A prohibition on unauthorised entry into the pitch during an ongoing sports event.
- A prohibition on throwing objects on to the pitch during an ongoing sports event.
Strategies to combat sports-related violence
During this electoral period, the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention has also been tasked by the Government to examine existing work underway in Sweden and internationally on this issue. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention made the following proposals:
- All high-risk matches to be scheduled for lunch times at weekends.
- Increase cooperation with public transport, to rapidly remove spectators from the area around the arena, so that the police can concentrate on those supporters disturbing public order.
- Review technical equipment with regard to camera surveillance of arenas, in order to ensure identification.
- Draw up a national action plan, stating who does what and containing forms for cooperation.
- Undertake a review of existing arenas, in order to increase safety and comfort.
- Increase police knowledge on crowd management.
- The police should use targeted initiatives against certain specific firm members as a method, in order to take legal proceedings against, and eliminate firm groupings.
As a result of the continuing problems with public order associated with, and in connection with sports, extensive cooperation is underway among many actors at different levels. The organisations concerned were invited to a meeting at the Government Offices in 2007, focusing on strengthened legislation and joint security efforts. In 2009, the Ministry of Culture took the initiative for a further meeting, with the same main focus. The most recent meeting with all those concerned was held in February this year, to follow up the new legislation, and decide what everyone can do.
The aims of these meetings are partly for the Ministry of Culture to keep itself informed of developments and learn more about the individuals and groups that mainly represent a positive supporter culture, but that sometimes stand out in a negative manner, and partly to see what more can be done to prevent them.
More actors
In addition, preventive efforts are taking place in collaboration with many actors. One group is led by the County Governor of Stockholm County and includes the City of Stockholm, the Swedish Police Service, the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the Football Association and the Stockholm clubs. The Coordination Council to Combat Sports-Related Crime consists of representatives of the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the Swedish Football Association, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, the National Police Board and the police authorities of Stockholm County, Västra Götaland County and Skåne.
