The Alarm: Young People Have Hand Grenades in Their Nightstands

Youths store hand grenades at home in their nightstands, or take them with them out in town or on public transportation. The police are now warning of several cases this summer where young people have handled explosive objects.

» Updated: September 11 2024

» Published: July 30 2024

The Alarm: Young People Have Hand Grenades in Their Nightstands
Photo: Mickan Mörk/TT

Until the end of June this year, the police have handled 19 hand grenades, some of which have not exploded and others that have.

We see that it's a phenomenon that primarily young girls store hand grenades on behalf of criminals in gang environments, says Jon Wåhlander, operational manager for the National Bomb Squad.

The police are now issuing a warning to highlight that anyone who stores or transports hand grenades is putting themselves and people nearby at great risk.

Just in recent weeks, several hand grenades have been seized or detonated.

Found in drawers

A notable case occurred last week, when a hand grenade was thrown into a store in Geneta, Södertälje, and a woman was seriously injured. Two teenagers are being held in custody after the incident.

Earlier in July, a live hand grenade was found on a balcony in Borås.

The police report that in some cases, hand grenades and other explosive devices have been found in, for example, nightstands and drawers at home among young people.

We've had an example where a girl in elementary school age had six live hand grenades hidden at home and was discovered by a grandparent, says Wåhlander.

He doesn't think that those who store hand grenades or other forms of explosives always know how dangerous it is.

They don't come with a job description or warning about how dangerous it is. It can be catastrophic if they're found by a younger sibling, for example.

Never touch

His message to anyone who sees something suspicious is not to touch it under any circumstances.

Keep a distance and call 112, and we'll take care of it.

In 2023, the police seized a total of 37 hand grenades. According to Wåhlander, the hand grenades primarily come from the Balkan region and the war in former Yugoslavia.

Although explosives linked to gang criminality exist throughout the country, hand grenades have mainly been found in metropolitan areas. Jon Wåhlander's tip to adults is to be interested in what young people are doing.

Be curious about your children and be particularly aware of changes in behavior.

Correction: An earlier version contained an incorrect figure for the number of hand grenades handled by the police this year.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse
3 MIN READ

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29: How to Safely Watch

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment
1 MIN READ

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment Fire; Police Investigate

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey Without Charge Details

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel Murder Appeals 14-Year Sentence

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium
1 MIN READ

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium System Halt in Västra Götaland

Teen Arrested After Man Shot
1 MIN READ

Teen Arrested After Man Shot in Gothenburg Residential Area

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits Apartments in Arlöv Near Malmö

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Five Hospitalized Following Serious Car Crash Near Surahammar

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for
1 MIN READ

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for Summertime Transition

Man in His 70s Dies
1 MIN READ

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident in Jämtland

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to
1 MIN READ

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to Reconnect Users

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor
1 MIN READ

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor Aid to Myanmar Earthquake Relief

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil
1 MIN READ

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Waterworks Issue

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey Sparks Global Outcry

EU License Changes May Impact
4 MIN READ

EU License Changes May Impact Swedish A-Tractor Rules for Teens

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained
3 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained in Turkey

Sixth Suspect Linked to December
1 MIN READ

Sixth Suspect Linked to December Murder in Växjö

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved by Southeast Asia Earthquake

Man in Custody After Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man in Custody After Shooting at Police in Karlshamn

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem
1 MIN READ

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem Detained for Serious War Crimes

25 Charged in Sweden for
2 MIN READ

25 Charged in Sweden for Defrauding Elderly of Millions

Swedish Court to Decide on
2 MIN READ

Swedish Court to Decide on Alleged Birth Intervention Without Consent

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine
1 MIN READ

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine Attempted Murders in Malmö

Person Dies After Falling from
1 MIN READ

Person Dies After Falling from Ship Near Göteborg

Kristersson Faces New Inquiry Over
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Faces New Inquiry Over Alleged Political Bias in Government

Students Call for Better Sex
1 MIN READ

Students Call for Better Sex and Consent Education in Swedish Schools

Police and Prison Uniforms Illegally
1 MIN READ

Police and Prison Uniforms Illegally Sold on Sellpy, Investigation Reveals

Molotov Cocktail Attack on Uddevalla
1 MIN READ

Molotov Cocktail Attack on Uddevalla Mosque Sparks Arson Investigation

Sis CEO Responds to Criticism:
2 MIN READ

Sis CEO Responds to Criticism: Report Key to Improving Child Care

Man Sentenced to 10 Years
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Stabbing Girlfriend in Västerås

Report Highlights Failures in Sweden's
3 MIN READ

Report Highlights Failures in Sweden's Treatment of Detained Children

Sweden's National Parks Struggle with
5 MIN READ

Sweden's National Parks Struggle with Maintenance and Accessibility

Explosion Rocks Malmö Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Malmö Apartment Building Stairwell Overnight

Cutting Public Service Now is
1 MIN READ

Cutting Public Service Now is Irresponsible Say Swedish Social Democrats