Former police officer warns of crisis as Norway drops over 30,000 criminal cases due to lack of resources

Norwegian police dropped more than 30,000 criminal investigations last year due to insufficient capacity, sparking sharp criticism from crime experts and police unions, Dagbladet reports.

Johnny Brenna, a former police officer and host of the TV programme Krimvakta (Crime Watch), described the situation as “desperate,” stating that victims with clear evidence are seeing their cases dismissed. “People are devastated. The system is failing everyday crime,” Brenna told the newspaper. He highlighted that many cases—even those with identified suspects and evidence—are closed the same day they are reported.

Police union leader Unn Alma Skatvold of the Police Federation called the trend “unsustainable,” noting that understaffing and rising serious crime have forced officers to prioritise major cases over thefts, burglaries, and assaults. “This isn’t just ‘everyday crime’—it’s security-threatening crime. It erodes public trust and makes people feel unsafe,” she said.

The number of dropped cases has more than doubled since 2021, when 13,561 investigations were closed due to lack of resources. Last year’s figure represents over half of all reported crimes where a suspect was identified.

Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen acknowledged the issue but stated the government has allocated record funding, including an additional 600 million kroner (€53m) in 2025 to combat organised crime. “There must be room to address everyday crime too,” she said, though she recognised that prioritisation remains necessary.

Brenna criticised the lack of public debate on the issue, arguing that the situation effectively grants “free rein to criminals.” He cited Norway’s Police Act, which mandates that the state must provide the policing society needs. “Where are we headed? People are outraged over fuel prices, but this—this is far worse,” he said.

Riksrevisjonen, Norway’s audit authority, flagged declining crime clearance rates as early as 2022. Police also face challenges with outdated IT systems and record resignations, further straining resources.