Community activities resume in Oulu after stabbings at Valkea shopping center

Community activities in Oulu’s city center have returned to normal over a month after stabbings occurred at the Valkea shopping center, according to Jyrki Kivirinta, a chief inspector with the Oulu police. Two individuals of foreign descent were stabbed within less than a week after mid-June, with a 15-year-old suspected in one of the incidents. Both stabbings are believed to have been motivated by racism.

In the immediate aftermath of the stabbings, Kivirinta noted that people’s behavior was cautious in the city center. The police increased their visibility in the area following the events, continuing patrols throughout the city center to ensure public safety. “We aim to be present in case anything might happen,” Kivirinta stated.

Since the stabbings in June, Oulu has experienced a peaceful atmosphere. Kivirinta reported that while the police have responded to cases of disruptive behavior, incidents have been minimal and often linked to substance use. “The number of calls decreases when police are actively present. Reports are fewer because the police may intervene directly, which also has a preventive effect,” he explained.

Residents have approached the police with questions and shared their thoughts while officers were on duty, a type of engagement that is welcomed from the police’s perspective. Overall, this summer has been a traditionally busy time for the police in Oulu, both within and outside the city center. “Summer is indeed a busy season for the police, and tasks are significantly higher than usual, but the police in Oulu are always kept busy,” Kivirinta noted.