Oulu residents challenge police assurances over racism fears

Residents of Oulu have voiced concerns about hate crimes and the safety of visible minorities at a public discussion, while police said the city is statistically safe. Yle reported that many participants were particularly worried after a cyclist was suspected of stabbing five people with foreign backgrounds in Oulu since spring 2025, most of them this summer. No suspect has been arrested.

Karita Hotti, a resident of Oulu, said she was deeply worried about the situation and even feared for the lives of people she knows.

“Fascism and the far right are clearly on the rise here,” Hotti said.

The suspected bicycle stabbings have remained strongly in people’s minds. Juha Regelin said Oulu had been repeatedly portrayed in a negative light in recent years, most recently because of the attacks.

“This has been recurring. People are afraid,” Regelin said. He said he personally felt safe but hoped everyone else could feel the same.

Crime inspector Konsta Korhonen said that, based on crime statistics, Oulu is a safe city. He added that catching the suspected attacker would be important for the general atmosphere.

“It is difficult to live with uncertainty,” Korhonen said.

Korhonen told worried residents that the police are “colour-blind and there for everyone”. He said it was clear that people were concerned.

Marie Arrey and Joy Obinomen said the discussion had reassured them.

“Now we know that help is available and that the perpetrators of crimes will not be let off easily,” Arrey said.

Concerns over recognising hate crimes

Celine Okata said she was disappointed by the police assurances about the relatively low level of crime in Oulu.

“Even one case is too many,” she said.

Okata said she was very concerned about hate crimes and whether they are properly recognised in Oulu and elsewhere in the world.

“Everyone needs to care about hate crimes. If only those who could become victims care, nothing will change,” she said.

Other foreign-background people were also targeted in three stabbing incidents in Oulu in 2024. Two were victims at Valkea shopping centre, while a third was stabbed in the Kastelli district in autumn 2024. According to the article, the perpetrators in those three cases were found to be legally incapable of being held criminally responsible.

The discussion also included views from a forensic psychiatrist and a public legal aid attorney. Audience members challenged the speakers with numerous questions.