Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COPENHAGEN81
2009-02-12 12:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:
DENMARK'S 2009 OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT
how-toR 121210Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4766
UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000081
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR; DS/DSS/OSAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DENMARK'S 2009 OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT
REF: 08 STATE 132056
UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000081
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR; DS/DSS/OSAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DENMARK'S 2009 OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT
REF: 08 STATE 132056
1. (U) Overall Crime and Safety Situation
Denmark remains a relatively safe country. However, serious
crime is on the rise and has been so for the last few years.
The number of homicides nationwide rose to 53 in 2008
(compared to 24 in 2006 and 42 in 2007) The primary sources
for all statistic in this section is www.tv2.dk and
www.berlingske.dk .
The use of guns by criminals continued to rise. This
continues the pattern observed at the end of 2007. From
August to the end of the year, the use of guns escalated
sharply due to an ongoing conflict between biker affiliated
gangs and emigrant gangs. There were approximately 50
shooting in Copenhagen, with 24 of them tied to the gang
conflict.
Two of the largest robberies in Danish crime history occurred
in 2008. On April 1st, armed individuals robbed the cash
handling company Loomis. The company is located in Brndby,
approximately 11 kilometers from the center of Copenhagen.
They entered by breaching a wall. The robbers used a
diversion made with spike strips and a box of explosives to
paralyze all traffic in the area, including the train
traffic. On August 10th, robbers used an excavator to
penetrate the wall of another cash handling company, Dansk
Vrdihndtering (Danish Valuehandling),also located in
Brndby. The robbers stole approximately 60 million Danish
kroner (10.5 million USD). The robbers used a diversion by
placing dumpsters on fire in other areas of Copenhagen to
distract the police. Earlier in the year, protesters burned
numerous vehicles and dumpsters and the police are
hypersensitive to civil unrest.
Residential burglaries continued to rise in 2008, higher than
ever before (close to 44,000 in private homes and
approximately a 40% increase measured over the last two
years). A subset of residential burglary, the &home
invasion8 continued to rise as well. In 2006, 16 home
invasions were registered in Denmark, in 2007 the number had
grown to 23 and by the end 2008 that number had grown to 37
home invasions A slight variation can be found to these
numbers as the Danish Police operate with four different
definitions of home invasion and the numbers also vary
slightly in the press.. The majority of these home invasions
(approximately 80 %) are still committed by younger Danish
criminals living in the same area. The foreign criminals
involved come from Lithuania, the Middle East and Turkey.
Currently, neither crime nor terorist threats are
specifically targeting Americns in Denmark. However,
demonstrations occur fro time to time and often in front of
the U.S. Embssy. These demonstrations tend to be very
peaceul. When a demonstration occurs near the Embassy,the
Regional Security Officer (RSO) instructs stff and personnel
to keep a low profile and avoid any confrontation. When
incidents involving the mbassy or its personnel occur, the
Danish police normally respond quickly and efficiently.
Early in 2007, the Danish police implemented a nationwide
police reform with the purpose of freeing more police
personnel for patrolling and visibility in the public. The
reception and assessment of this reform among the public and
police personnel has been quite critical/negative mainly
based on slower response time, less availability, and less
presence on the streets. During the fall of 2008, the Danish
government granted the Danish police funds sufficient to hire
an additional 300 police officers. Critical press coverage of
the police reform continued throughout the year and in
November 2008 the Minister of Justice fired the National
Commissioner of the Danish Police and replaced him with the
Director of the Police in Northern Jutland.
Minor crime, such as pickpocketting and vandalism are
present. Pickpockets are particularly bad in the tourist
areas and near the cruise line docks. The pickpockets
operate primarily in the summer and during the Christmas/New
Years season. Around Christmas 2008, police arrested a gang
of approximately 30 pickpockets who were operating in the
tourist area near Tivoli. Numerous incidents of stolen
wallets, backpacks, passports, and bicycles were reported to
the Embassy.
During the summer of 2008, a comprehensive survey of 321
European cities, including Copenhagen, was conducted on
behalf of the European Commission. The survey focuses on
many aspects of each city, to include some criminal
statistics. For a more detailed view on this survey see
www.urbanaudit.org.
2. (U) Political Violence
A. Terrorism
International terrorism continues to be a threat in Denmark,
highlighted by convictions in the February 2007 (&Glostrup
case8) and the major terror arrests executed by the Danish
police in September 2007 ("Glasvej case"). In February 2008,
three individuals were arrested for planning the murder of
one of the Mohammed Cartoon cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard.
In June 2008, the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan was
destroyed by a car bomb emphasizing that Denmark and Danish
interest remain high on the international target scale.
B. Civil Unrest
During February 2008, a string of bonfires were started.
Initially in Nrrebro, a neighborhood of Copenhagen, and then
rapidly spread to other areas of the city. For a period of
approximately two weeks, hundreds of small fires were started
primarily in the ethnic neighborhoods of big cities
throughout Denmark.
The causes of the wave of fires were never exactly determined.
3. (U) Police response
In general, the Danish police are a competent and
well-equipped force. The police are responsive to RSO
requests for investigative assistance and cooperative on all
matters regarding security for American residents. Relations
are excellent with all segments of the police.
The emergency number 112 is still valid for anyone becoming a
victim of a crime or otherwise in need of police assistance.
From February 2008, it was also possible to dial 114 to reach
English-speaking police officers who are available 24/7 all
year round however it is still recommended to use 112 as the
first choice as the 114 arrangement is not fully operational
in all areas.
4. (U) Medical Emergencies
Emergency medical assistance is widely available, though more
present in the Copenhagen area. The standard in the emergency
rooms is of high quality and comparable to U.S. standards.
The ambulance and fire department emergency number is 112
(same to the police emergency number).
5. (U) Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Use common sense and keep an eye on belongings at all times
when in train stations, tourist areas, and large department
stores. Be extra vigilant during peak holidays like Christmas
and Easter. The tourist areas like Strget (the main
pedestrian street in Copenhagen) and Tivoli are also favorite
areas for pickpockets in the summer and Christmas season.
Lock all doors and windows when leaving your home. Indicate
a presence in the home, especially in the dark season of the
year (November-March). The RSO recommends a timer switch on
your lights for this purpose.
A central monitored residential alarm system should be a part
of your security plan. Several companies sell complete
packages including installation, monitoring and response to
the system.
6. (U) For Further Information
US Embassy Copenhagen
Dag Hammarskjlds All 24
2100 Kbenhavn
US Embassy Switchboard: (45) 3341-7100
Fax (45) 3543-0223
Regional Security Office Copenhagen: (45) 3341-7100 or 7389
or 7496
Consulate General Copenhagen: (45) 3341-7100 (phone hours
1400-1600)
Fax (45) 3598-9616
American Chamber of Commerce: (45) 3393-2932
Embassy website: http://www.usembassy.dk
Copenhagen Country Council Information
7. (U) There is an active OSAC Country Council in Copenhagen
which meets monthly.
Primary points of contact: Paul Schofield, Managing
Director, Hess can be reached at (45) 3330-1233 or Steven
Brugger, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce can
be reached at (45) 3393-2932. For more information, please
call the Regional Security Office or visit
http://copenhagen.osac.gov
8. (U) Comparative Statistics
At this time, criminal statistics are unavailable for 2008.
RSO will issue a supplemental report when the statistics are
complete.
9. (U) Point of contact for this matter is Regional Security
Jeff Howard or Security Investigator Jan Soerensen. RSO
Howard may be reached at Commercial: (45) 3341-7389, IVG:
989-7389, Post 1: (45) 3341-7400, Mobile: (45) 4050-8428 or
via email at howardjj@state.gov / howardjj@state.sgov.gov.
Mr. Soerensen may be reached at Commercial: (45) 3341-7496,
Mobile: (45) 2075-0647, or via email at
soerensenjs@state.gov.
MCCULLEY
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR; DS/DSS/OSAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DENMARK'S 2009 OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT
REF: 08 STATE 132056
1. (U) Overall Crime and Safety Situation
Denmark remains a relatively safe country. However, serious
crime is on the rise and has been so for the last few years.
The number of homicides nationwide rose to 53 in 2008
(compared to 24 in 2006 and 42 in 2007) The primary sources
for all statistic in this section is www.tv2.dk and
www.berlingske.dk .
The use of guns by criminals continued to rise. This
continues the pattern observed at the end of 2007. From
August to the end of the year, the use of guns escalated
sharply due to an ongoing conflict between biker affiliated
gangs and emigrant gangs. There were approximately 50
shooting in Copenhagen, with 24 of them tied to the gang
conflict.
Two of the largest robberies in Danish crime history occurred
in 2008. On April 1st, armed individuals robbed the cash
handling company Loomis. The company is located in Brndby,
approximately 11 kilometers from the center of Copenhagen.
They entered by breaching a wall. The robbers used a
diversion made with spike strips and a box of explosives to
paralyze all traffic in the area, including the train
traffic. On August 10th, robbers used an excavator to
penetrate the wall of another cash handling company, Dansk
Vrdihndtering (Danish Valuehandling),also located in
Brndby. The robbers stole approximately 60 million Danish
kroner (10.5 million USD). The robbers used a diversion by
placing dumpsters on fire in other areas of Copenhagen to
distract the police. Earlier in the year, protesters burned
numerous vehicles and dumpsters and the police are
hypersensitive to civil unrest.
Residential burglaries continued to rise in 2008, higher than
ever before (close to 44,000 in private homes and
approximately a 40% increase measured over the last two
years). A subset of residential burglary, the &home
invasion8 continued to rise as well. In 2006, 16 home
invasions were registered in Denmark, in 2007 the number had
grown to 23 and by the end 2008 that number had grown to 37
home invasions A slight variation can be found to these
numbers as the Danish Police operate with four different
definitions of home invasion and the numbers also vary
slightly in the press.. The majority of these home invasions
(approximately 80 %) are still committed by younger Danish
criminals living in the same area. The foreign criminals
involved come from Lithuania, the Middle East and Turkey.
Currently, neither crime nor terorist threats are
specifically targeting Americns in Denmark. However,
demonstrations occur fro time to time and often in front of
the U.S. Embssy. These demonstrations tend to be very
peaceul. When a demonstration occurs near the Embassy,the
Regional Security Officer (RSO) instructs stff and personnel
to keep a low profile and avoid any confrontation. When
incidents involving the mbassy or its personnel occur, the
Danish police normally respond quickly and efficiently.
Early in 2007, the Danish police implemented a nationwide
police reform with the purpose of freeing more police
personnel for patrolling and visibility in the public. The
reception and assessment of this reform among the public and
police personnel has been quite critical/negative mainly
based on slower response time, less availability, and less
presence on the streets. During the fall of 2008, the Danish
government granted the Danish police funds sufficient to hire
an additional 300 police officers. Critical press coverage of
the police reform continued throughout the year and in
November 2008 the Minister of Justice fired the National
Commissioner of the Danish Police and replaced him with the
Director of the Police in Northern Jutland.
Minor crime, such as pickpocketting and vandalism are
present. Pickpockets are particularly bad in the tourist
areas and near the cruise line docks. The pickpockets
operate primarily in the summer and during the Christmas/New
Years season. Around Christmas 2008, police arrested a gang
of approximately 30 pickpockets who were operating in the
tourist area near Tivoli. Numerous incidents of stolen
wallets, backpacks, passports, and bicycles were reported to
the Embassy.
During the summer of 2008, a comprehensive survey of 321
European cities, including Copenhagen, was conducted on
behalf of the European Commission. The survey focuses on
many aspects of each city, to include some criminal
statistics. For a more detailed view on this survey see
www.urbanaudit.org.
2. (U) Political Violence
A. Terrorism
International terrorism continues to be a threat in Denmark,
highlighted by convictions in the February 2007 (&Glostrup
case8) and the major terror arrests executed by the Danish
police in September 2007 ("Glasvej case"). In February 2008,
three individuals were arrested for planning the murder of
one of the Mohammed Cartoon cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard.
In June 2008, the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan was
destroyed by a car bomb emphasizing that Denmark and Danish
interest remain high on the international target scale.
B. Civil Unrest
During February 2008, a string of bonfires were started.
Initially in Nrrebro, a neighborhood of Copenhagen, and then
rapidly spread to other areas of the city. For a period of
approximately two weeks, hundreds of small fires were started
primarily in the ethnic neighborhoods of big cities
throughout Denmark.
The causes of the wave of fires were never exactly determined.
3. (U) Police response
In general, the Danish police are a competent and
well-equipped force. The police are responsive to RSO
requests for investigative assistance and cooperative on all
matters regarding security for American residents. Relations
are excellent with all segments of the police.
The emergency number 112 is still valid for anyone becoming a
victim of a crime or otherwise in need of police assistance.
From February 2008, it was also possible to dial 114 to reach
English-speaking police officers who are available 24/7 all
year round however it is still recommended to use 112 as the
first choice as the 114 arrangement is not fully operational
in all areas.
4. (U) Medical Emergencies
Emergency medical assistance is widely available, though more
present in the Copenhagen area. The standard in the emergency
rooms is of high quality and comparable to U.S. standards.
The ambulance and fire department emergency number is 112
(same to the police emergency number).
5. (U) Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Use common sense and keep an eye on belongings at all times
when in train stations, tourist areas, and large department
stores. Be extra vigilant during peak holidays like Christmas
and Easter. The tourist areas like Strget (the main
pedestrian street in Copenhagen) and Tivoli are also favorite
areas for pickpockets in the summer and Christmas season.
Lock all doors and windows when leaving your home. Indicate
a presence in the home, especially in the dark season of the
year (November-March). The RSO recommends a timer switch on
your lights for this purpose.
A central monitored residential alarm system should be a part
of your security plan. Several companies sell complete
packages including installation, monitoring and response to
the system.
6. (U) For Further Information
US Embassy Copenhagen
Dag Hammarskjlds All 24
2100 Kbenhavn
US Embassy Switchboard: (45) 3341-7100
Fax (45) 3543-0223
Regional Security Office Copenhagen: (45) 3341-7100 or 7389
or 7496
Consulate General Copenhagen: (45) 3341-7100 (phone hours
1400-1600)
Fax (45) 3598-9616
American Chamber of Commerce: (45) 3393-2932
Embassy website: http://www.usembassy.dk
Copenhagen Country Council Information
7. (U) There is an active OSAC Country Council in Copenhagen
which meets monthly.
Primary points of contact: Paul Schofield, Managing
Director, Hess can be reached at (45) 3330-1233 or Steven
Brugger, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce can
be reached at (45) 3393-2932. For more information, please
call the Regional Security Office or visit
http://copenhagen.osac.gov
8. (U) Comparative Statistics
At this time, criminal statistics are unavailable for 2008.
RSO will issue a supplemental report when the statistics are
complete.
9. (U) Point of contact for this matter is Regional Security
Jeff Howard or Security Investigator Jan Soerensen. RSO
Howard may be reached at Commercial: (45) 3341-7389, IVG:
989-7389, Post 1: (45) 3341-7400, Mobile: (45) 4050-8428 or
via email at howardjj@state.gov / howardjj@state.sgov.gov.
Mr. Soerensen may be reached at Commercial: (45) 3341-7496,
Mobile: (45) 2075-0647, or via email at
soerensenjs@state.gov.
MCCULLEY