But the decision does not mean that it is open season for bags at all concerts, football matches and the like. For the events that have already received permits, the conditions still apply. Organizers who want to allow bags to be brought are now urged to contact the police as soon as possible and announce that they want a change in the conditions.
We do not know how many will want a change, but we have a preparedness to be able to handle permits as quickly as possible, says Johan Olsson, head of the National Operational Department (Noa).
Lowered terror threat level
The ban on bags at all major events was introduced on November 1, 2023. The decision was prompted by the fact that the terror threat level was raised from three to four on a five-point scale, a change that took place in August of the same year.
The decision to lift the bag ban is welcomed, especially in the entertainment industry.
It is important that when you take special measures, you also make sure to remove them when they are no longer relevant. It is a great relief that you can now go to a concert directly after work and be able to bring your computer with you, says Joppe Pihlgren, CEO of the industry organization Swedish live.
The Security Service announced on May 23 this year that the terror threat level is lowered from four to three. The reason why the bag ban was not lifted at the same time is, according to Johan Olsson, that the overall security situation is still complicated.
We have had to analyze the situation thoroughly and weigh security issues against what is proportionate in terms of the effect that this ban has for organizers and citizens.
Difficult to evaluate ban
That the bag ban is now being lifted may mean more work for organizers if, according to the permit, it is required that bags at a specific event be checked.
If you have a bag ban, you don't have to worry about how the bag will be handled, but if you don't have it, you need to have a plan for how to handle the bags, says Johan Olsson.
What benefit has the bag ban had?
It is in the nature of things that you cannot know that because no bags have been allowed in. It is a measure that hits very broadly, but which has mainly aimed to avoid these really nightmare-like scenarios with large-scale attacks, says Johan Olsson.
