Sweden: Bag ban in all major events, effective last Wednesday! | How are Mello and Eurovision affected?
Based on the increased terrorist threat level, the Swedish Police Authority has decided to ban bags at major events in Sweden.
Per Engström, Head of Section for Coordination at the National Operations Department, comments on the decision:
“The decision has been taken in light of the increase in the terrorist threat level, with the aim of increasing security. It is a concrete measure that will limit the possibilities of bringing objects that may pose a danger to people visiting an event.”
As mentioned in the official Swedish Police Authority webiste, journalists on duty are not covered by the definition of audience and will therefore not be affected by this decision. However it remains to be seen how media/press will be handled during the forthcoming Melodifestivalen and Eurovision shows of 2024.
Why was the decision made in November when the terrorist threat level was raised in August?
Despite the fact that the terrorist threat level has not changed, Swedish authorities see a need to continuously adjust security measures in society, including concerts and matches where many people gather. We can assume that this latest adjustment is due to the worldwide stir caused by the Middle-Eastern conflict.
Confusion, displeasure and whining caused to Hockey fans in Gothenburg
During Thursday night’s hockey game at Scandinavium, there was a bag ban, something that most hockey fans had missed. Anyone who had a bag with them is referred to the central station. But not everyone had heard about the ban. Several say that they were forced to go to the central station and leave their bags there, which meant that they missed parts of the match.
Bag-ban update by Swedish Police, as of today | Confusion caused in today’s concert of Lars Winnerbäck
Bag-ban is also effective for today’s concert of Lars Winnerbäck, which starts in a few moments at Malmö Arena, the arena to host the Eurovision Song Contest next May. Starting from today, there is an exemption that applies to diaper bags. They will be allowed to take them to concerts and sporting events. Bags linked to medical reasons are also excluded.
But how will a November-bag-ban affect early and mid 2024 events, such as the Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest 2024, held in Malmö?
According to what Per Engström said in an interview with SVT, the police will introduce the bag ban “gradually”. This means that the organisers who have applied for a permit in the future, or for a long time to come (events such as next year’s Melodifestivalen tour and the Eurovision Song Contest), the bag ban does not apply to them:
“If you have already been granted a permit, these are the conditions that apply. We don’t intend to complicate things. This is a decision to increase safety and security in the future.”
Anders Wistbacka, project manager for Melodifestivalen, in an interview with Expressen, is really optimistic and thinks that things will work as they should, in terms of security, during the tour:
“We are now investigating the consequences of the bag ban for Melodifestivalen. Basically, we are positive because the purpose is to increase security and we believe that the audience has a great understanding. During the tour, we will, as always, work a lot with safety so that everyone can experience Melodifestivalen 2024 as an equally nice and safe event as usual.“
Peter Uksila, project manager for Melodifestivalen at Live Nation, also spoke to Expressen about the issue and pointed out that safety will always be the highest priority:
“We have had a close dialogue with the police and relevant authorities for a long time, together with the arenas. Due to the authorities’ decision to ban bags at major events, including our concerts and festivals, there is currently a ban on all types of bags and handbags. We will inform all ticket buyers about what applies before and during their visit to our events and encourage everyone to stay up to date.”
It seems that the Swedish Police latest planning are steps made towards the right direction, given the current circumnstances worldwide, as well as the terrorist threat level rise, last August.
Hopefully, events such as the stage intruder during Loreen‘s “Tattoo” performance in Malmö Arena will remain things of the past, security needs to be stepped up.
Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest!
Sources: Svensk Polisen, Sveriges Radio, SVT Nyheter, SVT Nyheter, Expressen,
Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss a thing of what’s happening Eurovision:
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!