Feb 12 • 15:30 UTC 🇸🇪 Sweden SVT Nyheter

Youth House in Filipstad Reopens – Wants Cameras and Mobile Ban

The Youth House in Filipstad is set to reopen with plans for surveillance cameras and a mobile phone ban to enhance safety due to past incidents involving criminal gangs.

The Youth House in Filipstad was closed by municipal authorities last December following the police's intervention against gang-related activities in the area, which reportedly involved recruitment of both boys and girls as young as 15. With safety concerns in mind, the municipality is now planning to implement security measures to ensure a safer environment for the youth accessing the facility. These measures include the installation of surveillance cameras and motion detectors, alongside the introduction of a mobile phone ban for visitors in grades 6 to 9.

The three-story facility presents challenges for staff in monitoring activities effectively, a situation that contributed to the previous safety issues. Michael Björklund, the municipality's safety coordinator, stressed the importance of these new measures to prevent further incidents and to create a safer recreational space for the community. Although the proposed mobile ban could be challenging to enforce, Susanne Berggren from the municipality assured that they will not confiscate mobile phones from the youth.

The reopening of the Youth House specifically targets younger students, as high school students are not permitted. The municipality is considering alternative solutions for older students, indicating a focused approach to managing youth interactions within the space. Plans for reopening are still being finalized, reflecting the community's commitment to balancing accessibility with safety in the wake of previous concerns involving criminal activities.

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