Sweden to allow schoolbag searches after mass shooting

STOCKHOLM: Sweden's government said Wednesday it would boost security at schools after the country's worst mass shooting left 10 dead, giving teachers the right to search students' bags among other measures.

Schools will be required to have emergency plans for violent situations, access to schools will require keys, door codes or badges, and authorisations for camera surveillance will be simplified, education minister Johan Pehrson told a press conference.

Teachers and staff will be authorised to search students' bags without warning at primary and secondary schools and adult education centres.

"We are working intensively to improve security for students, teachers and other school employees," Pehrson said.

If adopted by parliament as expected, the new measures would enter into force on July 1, 2025.

On February 4, 35-year-old Rickard Andersson entered the campus Risbergska adult education centre in Orebro and killed 10 people before apparently turning his gun on himself.

Officers found three weapons, shell casings and unused ammunition next to his body.

Andersson, whom police described as an unemployed recluse with no prior criminal record, had a hunting permit that licensed him to own four weapons.

He had lived isolated in his apartment since 2016, "with little contact with other people", police said.

Police are still trying to establish a clear motive for the shooting.

Andersson had been enrolled at campus Risbergska in the past but not attended classes since 2021.

Three days after the shooting, the government announced it would amend weapon laws and restrict access to semi-automatic guns.