Danish police lack resources to clamp down on burqa-wearers

‘Pressing matters’ have prevented police from apprehending offenders

Stephen Gadd

The enforcement of the government’s recent controversial law banning certain types of face coverings seems to be turning into a bit of a farce.

Although 88 reports have been submitted to the police regarding the contravention of the new law banning the public wearing of certain types of religious headgear, hats, hoodies, masks and false beards, only 11 people have been charged, DR Nyheder reports.

READ ALSO: Government agrees to ban burkas … and Darth Vader helmets?

This was revealed in an answer given to a parliamentary committee by the justice minister, Søren Pape Poulsen, in response to a question tabled by Dansk Folkeparti’s Peter Kofod.

I see no burqas
In 19 cases police were unable to respond because “at the time, other tasks were considered more pressing”. Several other potential felons have escaped because the police estimated that the opportunity for an arrest had been missed.

In another 16 cases, dispatched police patrols were unable to locate anyone who was concealing their face.

In a single instance, the police on the scene decided that the covering was legitimate.

So far, since August 1 charges have only been brought in 11 cases.

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs