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Police cite gang ‘split’ after violent incidents in Copenhagen

Several shooting incidents have occurred in Copenhagen in recent days, resulting in increased police presence.

Police cite gang 'split' after violent incidents in Copenhagen
Police in Nørrebro on Wednesday night. Photo: Bax Lindhardt/Ritzau Scanpix

Earlier this week, two shootings were reported with one man injured.

The latest incident on Wednesday night saw a shoot-out between police and unidentified persons in the Nørrebro neighbourhood, when shots were fired from a car on the Ragnhildsgade street toward a group of young people. Police officers who were standing nearby returned fire.

Nobody was arrested immediately following the incident.

Police said in a press statement that the incidents are related to an internal split in an organised crime gang in the capital, but gave no further details.

“We will not accept shots being fired in the public space and we are now making a huge effort to catch those responsible,” police director Anne Tønnes said.

“The public should feel safe and know that we are clamping down on the gangs’ criminal behaviour,” she added.

A stop-and-search zone has been put in place around the Nørrebro and Nordvest area in response to the escalation in shootings.

“We are taking this situation very, very seriously. In the light of what we witnessed last night, we have decided to intensify our response. That means we will be present to a greater extent,” Tønnes said.

“There will be plainclothes and uniformed officers, our mobile police station will drive around and we will intensify our dialogue with youth clubs, schools and housing associations,” she added.

READ ALSO: Man injured in Copenhagen shooting

SHOOTING

Police investigate shooting, assault in Copenhagen suburb

A 21-year-old has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Copenhagen district Valby on Monday night.

Police investigate shooting, assault in Copenhagen suburb
Photo: Presse-Fotos.dk/Ritzau Scanpix

Police investigations of the shooting incident took place on Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday, lead investigator Kenneth Jensen confirmed on Tuesday morning.

An alert was raised as to the shooting at Toftegårds Plads in Valby just before 10pm on Monday.

Investigation of the scene showed at least one shot was fired, Jensen confirmed.

Shortly after the first alert, police were informed of a possible knife attack at nearby street Gammel Køge Landevej.

In that incident, a 21-year-old male was beaten and kicked by a group of young people.

“We have a strong suspicion that the assault at Gammel Køge Landevej was a follow-on from the incident at Toftegårds Plads,” Jensen said.

A pistol was found close to the victim of the assault, who was taken to hospital but face charges for illegal possession of a firearm, the lead inspector confirmed.

Police were unable on Tuesday morning to make any comment regarding a potential connection to an ongoing conflict between organized crime gangs in Copenhagen.

The most recent incident to be linked to ongoing violence in this regard is the explosion of a suspected hand grenade in Amager on Monday.

The government last week announced a major beefing up of security, including public surveillance and border checks, linked to the recent spate of organized crime-linked violence.

READ ALSO: Denmark to introduce checks at all border points with Sweden

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