Security work and civil contingency planning
Stockholm is one of the world’s safest and most secure capitals. The City’s work on security and the ability to deal with crises is a prerequisite for Stockholm to maintain its attractiveness.
The City of Stockholm is committed to anticipating, preventing and withstanding societal disruptions across the entire threat spectrum, from minor incidents to peacetime crises and heightened state of alert. When disruptions occur, the City works to minimize consequences, maintain continuity of critical societal functions and enable a swift return to normal conditions.
The City of Stockholm’s Security Programme, adopted by the City Council, applies to all municipal committees and companies. The programme forms the basis for how all operations in the City plan, implement and develop their work on security and civil preparedness.
Maintaining critical functions require systematically identifying risks and vulnerabilities and establishing contingency procedures or a “Plan B” when disruptions arise.. All City operations responsible for critical services are requires to carry out risk and vulnerability assessments. Every four years, a city-wide risk and vulnerability analysis is compiled and reported to government authorities.
The security situation in Stockholm and Sweden
The deteriorating and uncertain global situation, coupled with rapid technological development, puts security and preparedness issues firmly in focus.
In recent years the security threat to Sweden has broadened and deepened, and the current security situation is often described as the most serious Sweden has faced since the Second World War.
The Swedish Parliament has confirmed that the possibility of an attack on Sweden cannot be ruled out. The international norms and rules that were built up towards the end of the Cold War, and which have been the prevailing principles of the European security order since, were undermined following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The threats facing Sweden and Stockholm are dynamic and unpredictable.
The terrorist threat level is a national assessment. However, as the capital city, Stockholm is a symbolic place and has historically been regarded as a strategic target for attacks. This is an important factor that the city takes into account in its work. The City of Stockholm monitors global developments, and safety and security work is always adapted to the prevailing situation. City operations remain open as usual and anyone with a specific concern based on current circumstances is encouraged to contact the relevant department directly.
The Swedish Security Service’s webpage
Governing principles
When incidents occur, Swedish crisis management are guided by three governing principles. These principles are central to how the City of Stockholm manages disruptions and crises. In addition to these governing principles, there is a geographically-based responsibility structure that aims to enable coordination and cooperation of crisis response.
The principle of responsibility
The principle of responsibility means that those who are responsible for operations under normal conditions retain that responsibility during a crisis. This also includes initiating and conducting collaboration when necessary.
The principle of similarity
The principle of similarity means that, during a crisis, the organisation and location of operations should, as far as possible, function in the same way as under normal conditions.
The principle of proximity
The principle of proximity means that a crisis is managed where it occurs, by those who are most directly affected and responsible. This, however, does not hinder collaboration or seeking assistance when needed.
Regional coordination
Well-established collaboration with other actors, such as the emergency services, the Swedish Police Authority and other government agencies, regional actors, the business community and civil society, is a natural element of the City’s security work. It contributes to reducing both the risk and consequences of disruptions and crises throughout Stockholm.
Within the framework of the Stockholm Resilience Region (Samverkan Stockholmsregionen) relevant stakeholders in the Stockholm region have jointly developed procedures and working methods for cooperation and coordination during crises situations. The aim is to maintain a safe, secure and disruption-free region and more effective interventions if something happens. Stockholm Resilience Region also lays the foundation for a well-functioning collaboration with the national level.
Stockholm Resilience Region’s website (In Swedish)
Seveso facilities
All of Sweden’s municipalities are responsible for making available information about facilities and operations that handle larger amounts of hazardous chemicals within the municipality, so-called Seveso facilities.
The Seveso Directive, County Administrative Board’s website
The municipality is obliged to draw up a plan for rescue operations in the event of an accident, and to ensure that the public is informed. This is done by the Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade. Within the Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade’s area, there are operations that are subject to two different levels of requirements: lower and higher.
Related areas
The City’s work on security and civil preparedness overlaps with several related areas.
Crime prevention and public safety
The City's security programme and its public safety programme are interconnected. The public safety programme describes the City's work to prevent crime and create public safety in practice, conceptual frameworks, responsibilities and roles, and the collection and analysis of data. Together, the two programmes describe the overall direction for the City's work to achieve the goal of a safe, secure and well-managed city to live and spend time.
Undertaking to prevent crime and create public safety (in Swedish)
Work against crime and violent extremism
Work against crime and violent extremism is a responsibility of several different government agencies. The City of Stockholm works primarily with preventive measures and through outreach to identify individuals with high-risk behaviours. The City also provides support activities for those who wish to disengage from a criminal lifestyle or leave violent extremist environments.
Work against crime and violent extremism
Organisation
The City of Stockholm’s committees and companies hold extensive responsibility for security and preparedness within their respective areas of operation. In addition, the district councils are responsible for coordination within their respective geographic areas.
The City Executive Office’s security department is responsible for the overall coordination of the City's work on security and civil preparedness
Governing documents
Security Program
The programme applies to all of the City’s committees and companies, and forms the basis for how the City’s operations plan, implement and develop their work on security and preparedness.