Helsinki Police improve preparedness against terrorism

Helsinki Police are closely monitoring the security situation continuously, although there is no known concreate threat for Helsinki.

“During the summer, a suspected terror attack in Norway and violent attacks in Denmark and Sweden have taken place. There is no known concrete threat for Helsinki, but we are constantly monitoring the situation”, said Deputy Police Commissioner Heikki Kopperoinen in a release issued by National Police Board on Wednesday.

In addition to the tasks of a local police force, the Helsinki Police Department is for its part responsible for the security of the President of Finland, members of the Government, official foreign guests and embassies.

The national Police Rapid Response Unit Karhu is also located in Helsinki.

According to the Finnish Government, a fundamental change has taken place in Finland’s operating environment following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. This has resulted in emphasised significance of maintaining society’s resilience to crisis, national defence capability and internal security to Finland’s security.

The police is responsible for stopping any serious acts of violence as soon as possible, regardless of their nature.

Making preparations for fighting terrorism has improved the use-of-force equipment and protective equipment used by the police, and developed the capabilities of the police against military threats as well. The police are also in charge of hybrid situations before any recognisable military actions.

“We have the ability to lead, take quick action and investigate serious offences around the clock. We are prepared to act together with other authorities, even when faced with small green men”, Kopperoinen said.

Preparations for exceptional situations are a part of the regular operations of the police. They are implemented particularly in cooperation with other police units, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Border Guard and the City of Helsinki.

The police receive a lot of contacts about persons causing concern and threatening messages in social media.

Threats are assessed in collaboration with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service.

Cases of acute threat are assessed through criminal investigation, as they often require the use of coercive measures.

As an example, the Helsinki Police Department prevented an act of violence between street gangs at Kaivohuone in October 2021.