Listhaug wants to copy Denmark’s hard line against the gangs: – Much is better here

– Much of the policy in the field of immigration and justice is better in Denmark. We are lagging behind in Norway, says Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug to NTB on the phone from Copenhagen.

This week she has been on a study trip to the Danish capital. With her home, she has many measures that she also wants to introduce in this country to put an end to increasing crime.

– We need police who are armed, institutions for those who are under the criminal minimum age. We need visitation zones, and we need increased penalties.

Another measure she is inspired by is new technology to stop Swedish gang criminals who cross the border into the neighboring country.

– Here they will stop the Swedish criminals with facial recognition. It is definitely something we should look at in Norway, says Listhaug.

Double punishment and visitation zones

On Thursday, the Frp leader visited, among others, Bjørn Brandenborg, who is the Social Democratic Party’s mayor in the legal committee in the Danish Parliament. He explained a total of four “gang packages” that have been introduced in Denmark since 2009.

The packages have contained tougher policies against criminal gangs and more tools for the police.

– What people here say is perhaps most important are the so-called visitation zones. The police can define zones where they carry out visits, and those who are caught for gang crime receive double punishment, says the Frp leader.

She wants that in Norway too.

– These areas have been cleaned up. To the same extent as before, they do not have specific areas where there is more drug sales and crime.

Closed institutions

On Wednesday, the FRP also visited a closed institution where children as young as 10 are sent if they have ended up on the incline. However, most are aged 12–17, according to the Frp leader.

– There is definitely a need for it in Norway as well. At the closed institution, they receive teaching and follow-up to get them on the right track. And safe and clear frameworks in everyday life, something many of them have lacked, she says.

– Firstly, it puts people on the right track. In addition, it protects society from people who may pose a danger to themselves and others, she says.

Don’t have time for long investigations

Several Norwegian politicians have been on study trips to Denmark recently. Several parties have also proposed stricter measures to stop gang crime.

At the latest this week, the government announced that it is putting NOK 2.4 billion on the table to strengthen the police in the state budget for next year.

– But it remains to be seen how many police officers will result from that. Last year the government boasted that they had strengthened the police with around 2 billion, but the result was a decrease in police positions in the police districts, says Listhaug.

She believes that Danish politicians have shown a greater ability to throw themselves around quickly with new measures, and not least to listen to the police and their needs.

Here in Norway, things are going too slowly, she believes, and points out that the government has decided to investigate several of the measures they have in Denmark. Among other things, a possible new housing and rehabilitation offer for children who commit serious crimes.

– It will be investigated for several months, and then a hearing. Then we have already arrived well after the election next year, without anything in the world happening. We don’t have time for that, says Listhaug.