1 in 3 business owners in Oslo do not trust the police’s capacity – Greater Oslo

– Business owners feel that the police have no control. They experience threats and direct confrontations.

That’s what regional director of NHO Viken Oslo Vegard Einan says.

– They experience mafia conditions and crime has come closer to them, he says.

In a new survey from April, 90 per cent of members told NHO that it is mostly safe in Oslo.

But far more people do not trust that the police can follow up on incidents.

Don’t trust the police to have the capacity

The survey reveals that 18 per cent do not trust the police to have the capacity to follow up on incidents that occur. 15 percent say they are unsure.

Shop owners in Greenland in particular have expressed fear of crime and violence.

– There are threats almost around the clock, and the shop owners do not feel that they are being heard or taken care of, says Einan.

He believes that several of the members in Oslo feel so unsafe that they do not dare to speak to the press or NHO themselves.

– Only a few hundred meters from the country’s largest police station, serious crime and drug sales are taking place.

According to head of unit center Frode Larsen, the police must have a strong effort against crime and reassure the business owners, especially in Greenland.

– Through the neighborhood police, we will have 38 extra police officers in Greenland and Tøyen. They will work here over time to overcome crime, says Larsen.

– I have never seen Greenland as dangerous as it is today

Last Saturday, a person was shot through the windows of a kebab restaurant in Greenland.

The owner of the restaurant, Ali Issam Kanaan, was at work when the shooting happened.

– It was terrifying. I don’t know how to describe the feeling when you’re doing your job, and then it suddenly feels like you can disappear out of the world, out of the blue.

A man in his 20s suffered serious injuries after the shooting.

Several other shop owners NRK has spoken to previously told about a culture of violence and fear.

A shop owner who wishes to remain anonymous says he has never seen Greenland as dangerous as it is today.

According to him, several have given up. They can no longer bear to run a shop here.

– If nothing happens, it could be like Sweden here in five years.

In addition, a report from the neighborhood police in Greenland as VG has gained insight into the fact that criminals operate freely in the area.

Fears the violence will spread

Einan says they are happy that both the police and politicians are strengthening their efforts in Greenland. But says that the rest of the city must not be forgotten.

– There has been violence, explosions, shootings and stabbings across large parts of Oslo and Eastern Norway. National authorities must address this, he says.

He believes that the country’s capital cannot gain a reputation as an unsafe place to live or work.

– Vtake what the business leaders and the local community say seriously. Right here it is not felt to be safe, and then you have to take action, Einan concludes.