Sweden has banned bags at concerts and football matches due to a heightened terror threat, according to Swedish police. The move aims to prevent hazardous items from being brought into such events.
The restriction applies to large sporting occasions such as national football and ice hockey matches, concerts and festivals. Protests, however, are not under this ban.
"Based on the current security situation, we have decided to ban bags at all major sporting events as of today. The decision is connected to the fact that the terrorist threat level is at 4 (on the 5-grade scale)," Swedish Police stated.
In mid-August, Sweden’s government heightened its terror alert due to several instances of Quran burnings. These actions have provoked anger in the Muslim world, making Sweden a “prime target” for Islamic terrorism, local authorities say.
On 16 October, Sweden was indirectly targeted in the Brussels shooting which claimed the lives of two Swedish nationals in the Belgian capital for a football match between Sweden and Belgium.
