Copenhagen: Riots caused by boredom

This weekend saw yet another disturbance in the district notorious for riots, this time caused by discontentment with increased police presence


Nørrebro was once again the scene of burning garbage disposal containers and cars this weekend when another riot was sparked off, this time allegedly caused by the hard-handed treatment of an elderly man by police.


An argument between a father and police was apparently the reason why up to 40 youngsters took to the streets in response to what they believed was increased police brutality. 11 people were arrested but later released.


It was believed that the new search zones, of which the Nørrebro district was a part of, played a large part in causing discontent among the neighbourhood's young people. Sources said that police accosted youngsters and harassed them for no apparent reason.


The new search zone means that police are entitled to approach people at random in order to search them.


Ali Haseki, a social worker, said that the police were in large part to blame for the disturbance this weekend.


He also said it was his impression that the riot was a way of showing the police how dissatisfied young people in the area were of the way they were subjected to random searches and questioning.


'Just because they turn up in their uniforms, doesn't give them the right to speak rudely to us,' said a 15-year-old boy from the area who wished to remain anonymous.


Haseki also stated that the disturbance showed that young people needed an alternative to the streets, saying that educational support, help with job searches and a place to be would be a start.


According to a police spokesperson, the riot was caused by boredom.


'It's hard to say what the motive was. It looks like boredom and it looks like these kids wanted to stir up some trouble on the streets for the sake of it,' said Jakob Kristensen from Copenhagen police.


The youngsters were not previously known by police and there were small groups of 10-12 people milling about. Kristensen also confirmed that 'nothing indicated that the disturbance had political undertones'.


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DR public broadcaster is now sending guards out with their reporters whenever they cover the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen.


The move comes in response to the increased badgering and accosting of journalists by the area's youths.


Recent episodes have involved rioters attacking and stealing a camera from a journalist, while others have been verbally threatened. This weekend's riot was no different with an incident involving youngsters hurling petrol at a group of reporters.


Ulrik Haagerup, news editor at DR, called the episodes unacceptable and announced that they would in the future send guards with their reporters. He also found the situation 'deeply worrying'.


TV2 station, on the other hand, had also begun the practice of sending guards along with reporters for coverage of risky areas, but did not find it to be a long-term solution.


'Bringing guards along can make the situation even more volatile, and it certainly does not give better stories,' said Michael Dyrby, a TV2 spokesperson to Nyhedsavisen newspaper.


Sources: Copenhagen Post 1, 2 (English)

See also: Copenhagen: Riots