Poliisi - News

Police warn thousands of DDoS service users – a denial of service attack is a crime

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:45:00 GMT

Operation PowerOFF is an international law enforcement operation launched to seize and shut down websites offering DDoS-for-hire services, to take criminal investigative measures against the administrators and users of these services, and to take preventive action. The international joint operation involves law enforcement agencies from 21 countries.

Booters and stressers, available on the net, are load testing services used for carrying out denial of service attacks. The authorities can prevent criminal activity and harm caused to victims by taking down illegal services enabling such criminal activities. The most recent action taken during the operation in April 2026 involved seizing 53 illegal booter and stresser services. The services previously seized during the operation had over three million registered users. The law enforcement agencies have opened criminal investigations against these persons and taken coordinated preventive action across the world.

Police action targets thousands of users from Finland

As part of the operation’s preventive action, the participating law enforcement agencies approach the users of the disabled services by sending a targeted warning letter or e-mail to them. The National Bureau of Investigation will send an e-mail to those who used the services from Finland between 2013-2024. At the previous stage of the operation in 2024, the National Bureau of Investigation sent a targeted warning message to hundreds of users. This time, a warning message will be sent to thousands of users in Finland.

– The large number of users shows that the use of services offered by crime-as-a-service providers is also alarmingly common in Finland. The aim of targeted warning messages is to prevent criminal activity by reminding the website users of the illegality and possible consequences of using DDoS services, says Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Rauhamaa of the National Bureau of Investigation.

In the warning message, the person is informed that they have registered with a website offering illegal services and that the police have seized this website. The user is warned of the illegality of the site and urged to stop using the service.

A denial of service attack is a crime

It is alarmingly easy and common to commit cybercrime using crime-as-a-service providers. With DDos services, even unexperienced users with no significant technical skills can carry out denial of service attacks by pressing a few keys. However, some users may have advanced technical skills and operate on a large scale.

The use of booter services is especially common among young people. Those who carry out denial of service attacks might do so, particularly at first, out of curiosity or a desire to experiment, or to bully someone. Denial of service attacks may also be motivated by a financial benefit and carried out, for example, to extort money from the target, or they may be ideologically motivated, such as hacktivist attacks. Denial of service attacks can cause serious harm and damage, the extent of which can be difficult or even impossible to predict.

Cyberattacks cause harm and damage to both individuals and organisations. Denial of service attacks enable, for example, disruption of online banking or health services, thus preventing the customers from using the services. To restore their services, the compromised organisations might have to take extensive measures, which might cause immense costs. At worst, denial of service attacks can impact critical infrastructure, such as the operation of emergency response centres.

– The police take cybercrime seriously. Even an attack carried out with the intention of bullying someone can have serious and long-lasting consequences that might be difficult for the attacker to foresee. A denial of service attack carried out with an automated tool is also a crime, reminds Senior Detective Superintendent Rauhamaa.

Prevention has a major role to play in combating cybercrime

Preventive and criminal investigative measures are important tools for the authorities combating cybercrime. Besides dismantling criminal tools available on open networks, Operation PowerOFF focuses on actively preventing any future attacks. Prevention campaigns run in Finland and other countries have targeted, among others, young people who search illegal DDoS tools in browsers or watch tutorials on the subject on video service platforms. The aim is to raise young people’s awareness of the fact that booter services offering denial of service attacks are illegal, as well as to prevent criminal activity.

Law enforcement authorities have also made requests to search engine servers to delete websites providing criminal services from search engine results. During a joint action day, over a hundred websites offering illegal DDoS services were deleted from search engine results.

No action is required from those who receive a warning message from the police. Those who have received an e-mail from the police may, if they wish, contact the National Bureau of Investigation at poweroff.krp@poliisi.

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Check the validity of your passport or identification card for your travel in the summer

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:21:00 GMT

“If necessary, the renewal of a passport or identity card can be done easily, as there are plenty of appointments available in most parts of Finland. If the renewal of your travel document has been left to the last minute, it is also possible to visit many police stations without an advance appointment,” says Senior Adviser Juhani Ruutu.

It is always best to start the renewal of a passport or identity card by using the online service. When submitting an online application, the system will tell you whether you need an identification appointment at a police station. At the same time, it is easy to book an appointment at the police station of your choice. If you make an application for a passport or identity card online, it is also slightly cheaper than a travel document for which an application is made at a police station.

A ten-year passport is not yet available

Some clients are waiting for the maximum validity period of the Finnish passport to extend to ten years. However, you should not wait to renew your passport, because it will take time to make the required changes to legislation and information systems. At the moment, the exact date of the introduction of the ten-year passport and identity card is not yet known.

How to renew your passport or identification card

Have a passport photograph taken of you. The photograph attached to the passport or identity card application must be no more than six months old.
Start making an application for a new travel document at poliisi.fi
The system will direct you to book an appointment at a police station, if this is necessary. Make sure to cancel your appointment if you cannot make it.
Retrieve your completed document when you receive the pick-up notification.

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Criminal investigation into unmanned aerial vehicle in Iitti continues

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:01:00 GMT

The objective of the investigations is to establish, among others, whether the unmanned aircraft found in Iitti entered the Finnish territory at the same time as the previously found aircraft. The authorities aim to clarify the matter as the criminal investigation progresses.

– We can say at this point that it is the same kind of aircraft as those found earlier. On the basis of the information that we have received during the criminal investigation, all the four aircraft that have been found are a different kind from the type mentioned in public. They are significantly smaller than what has been described in public, says Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.

– The aircraft that have been found are smaller than what has been reported in public, and it is suspected that they are of Ukrainian origin. It should be highlighted, however, that forensic investigations are still underway, and we are not going to draw any conclusions yet, adds Lieutenant Jyri Siitari of the Border Guard’s Gulf of Finland Coast Guard.

As the authorities suspected that all the aerial vehicles were carrying explosives, they rendered them safe.

All the debris of aircraft found in Iitti has been submitted for forensic examination. The National Bureau of Investigation and the Border Guard continue to investigate the incidents.

The deviation of the unmanned aerial vehicles is due to Ukraine's countermeasures in response to Russia's aggression in the war. The deviation of the is possibly due to GNSS interference.

The police still remind people that if they see any unmanned aircraft or debris of aircraft on the ground, they must not touch or approach that but report their sightings to the authorities by calling the emergency number 112.

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Summer affects the opening hours of Western Uusimaa Police Department

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:10:00 GMT

Police Service hours in the summer of 2026

Police services include receiving crime reports and handling lost property. The summer service hours will be in effect from June 1 to August 31:

Espoo Main Police Station: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:15 PM
Lohja Police Station: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00–11:30 AM and 12:30–4:15 PM
Kirkkonummi Police Station: Monday and Thursday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM
Raasepori Police Station: Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:15 PM

If you are summoned for an interrogation, you must arrive at the time indicated in the summons, even outside the aforementioned service hours.

License Service hours in the summer of 2026

License Services include matters related to ID cards, passports, private security sector licenses, and firearm applications. Other matters, such as notifications of public events, raffle permits, and small-scale fundraising notices, are also handled during the summer. The summer License Service hours are valid from June 1 to August 31.

Espoo Main Police Station: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:15 PM
Lohja Police Station: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:15 PM
Kirkkonummi Police Station: License Services are closed from June 1 to August 31
Raasepori Police Station: License Services are closed July 6–31. Outside this period, Licence Services are open on Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:15 PM

Firearm Inspection Service (by appointment only) is available during the summer:

Espoo Main Police Station: Tuesdays, 9:00–11:00 AM and 12:00–4:00 PM
Lohja Police Station: Every other Wednesday (odd weeks), 9:00 AM–11:00 AM and 12:00–4:00 PM
Raasepori Police Station: Firearm Inspection is closed July 6–31. Outside this period, Firearm Inspection is open every other Wednesday (even weeks), 9:00–11 AM and 12:00–4:00 PM

Start your application online

Submitting your application online is a good way to start the process. If a personal visit is required for identification, it’s advisable to book an appointment in advance. Summer only brings changes to the opening hours of Kirkkonummi and Raasepori Police Stations. The customer service at Espoo Main Police Station and Lohja Police Station resumes with regular opening hours.

Remember that you can visit any police station for license matters or filing a crime report, regardless of your place of residence. ID cards and passports are delivered within the standard delivery time of eight working days after processing begins.

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Criminal investigations into unmanned aerial vehicles continue

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Border Guard have continued to investigate the unmanned aerial vehicles which entered Finland and fell on the ground on 29 March 2026, and the unmanned aircraft found on 31 March 2026. The authorities have carried out forensic investigations and gathered background information to investigate the incidents. The investigations continue at Easter. It is suspected that the unmanned aircraft under investigation are of Ukrainian origin.

The Southeastern Finland Police Department continues to verify the sightings of unmanned aircraft. The Border Guard investigates the incidents as territorial violations.

- We have continued the investigation of territorial violations by examining the extensive criminal investigation material. Cooperation between the authorities has been excellent in the case, says Senior Lieutenant Jyri Siitari of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard, who heads the investigations into the territorial violations.

The offences investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation are grossly negligent endangerment and negligent endangerment. The Finnish Defence Forces have provided assistance in the investigations.

- Based on information gathered during the investigations, we cannot at this point completely exclude the possibility that, in addition to the unmanned aerial vehicles already found, other unmanned aircraft might have also ended up on the ground during the previous incidents, says Deputy Director of National Bureau of Investigation Timo Kilpeläinen.

Because of the Ukrainian response to the Russian war of aggression, it is possible that such aircraft might also be strayed into Finnish territory in future, especially in the area of Kymenlaakso and South Karelia.

The police remind people that if they see any debris of aircraft on the ground, they must under no circumstances approach or touch the target but move at a safe distance and report the sighting to the authorities by calling the emergency number 112. Do not share your location or any pictures of the aircraft, or its parts, on social media.

The police recommend that people read the following instructions of the Ministry of the Interior: Authorities’ instructions for when you see a drone - Ministry of the Interior

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North Karelia Border Guard Launches Preliminary Investigation into Suspected Territorial Violation by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Lake Pyhäjärvi, Parikkala

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:25:00 GMT

Based on the information currently available to the investigation, it is believed that the aerial vehicle entered Finnish airspace between 30th and 31st March 2026. Efforts to clarify the exact time and location of the event are ongoing as part of the preliminary investigation.

At this stage, it appears that the UAV originates from Ukraine and may be connected to the same phenomenon that has been observed in Finland in recent times. Further investigation into these aspects will continue as part of the inquiry.

The National Bureau of Investigation has commenced a preliminary investigation into the unmanned aerial vehicle found on the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi, Parikkala. The case is currently being investigated under the criminal charge of negligent endangerment.

– The case is not being investigated as a grossly negligent endangerment, unlike the two other cases involving the fall of aerial vehicles, as there is no indication that the crash site posed a significant risk to a large number of people. The charge could change during the course of the preliminary investigation, stated Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi from the National Bureau of Investigation.

At this point in the investigation, it is evident that the unmanned aerial vehicles that have fallen in Finland originated from Ukraine. The National Bureau of Investigation and the North Karelia Border Guard are working closely together on this matter.

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Investigation Into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles That Fell to the Ground Progresses

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

With regard to the unmanned aerial vehicle that fell in Luumäki, South Karelia, earlier, authorities have discovered parts of the vehicle during a site examination on land and ice. These parts are now undergoing technical examination. No findings have been made in the investigations of the waterbed. The site examination in the area will continue.

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Finnish Border Guard have established a joint investigation team to resolve the matter.

The Finnish Border Guard continues its investigation into the territorial violation. The investigation is expected to take several weeks. Among other things, the investigation seeks to clarify the route of the unmanned aerial vehicles and the sequence of events that led to their arrival in Finnish territory.

In Savisto, Kouvola, authorities completed the investigation operations yesterday afternoon, and the area’s cordon was lifted at approximately 15:30. The cordons around Luumäki for vehicular traffic were also removed yesterday around 18:00. Citizens are now free to move about in both Savisto and Luumäki.

The police remind the public that if anyone comes across parts of devices potentially related to these events in the field, under no circumstances should they approach or touch the objects. Any such findings should be reported to the authorities by calling the emergency number 112.

In relation to the aerial vehicle found today, 31st March 2026, at Lake Pyhäjärvi in Parikkala, the National Bureau of Investigation is providing support to the authorities on-site and will assess separately the need for any potential preliminary investigation.

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Operation in Response to UAV incidents in South-East Finland Continues

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Investigations into the incidents involving the UAVs that came down in south-east Finland are continuing, with the relevant authorities working in close collaboration. The National Bureau of Investigation continues the criminal investigation, while South-East Finland Police Department maintains cordons around the landing sites of the two UAVs that came down north of Kouvola and in Luumäki on Sunday. Finnish Defence Forces executive assistance detachments have been supporting the police operation.

All but two of the persons evacuated from the area were able to return to their homes for the night, according to Detective Superintendent Jukka Lankinen of South-East Finland Police Department.

The UAV that came down north of Kouvola was found, in a preliminary assessment by the authorities, to have an unexploded warhead attached, as a result of which it was destroyed in a controlled explosion at 23:26 yesterday evening. The explosion heard in the area during the night was the result of the controlled explosion carried out by the authorities to render the unexploded warhead safe.

In Luumäki, police and the Border Guard have been examining the site and its surroundings over the past two days. The authorities are investigating whether the UAV had exploded on impact.

Debris from the UAV has been found scattered across the area around the landing site in Luumäki, and the search for further debris is continuing today as a joint operation by the authorities. Police have also been investigating a reported UAV sighting in Pyhtää, Kymenlaakso, but enquiries have established that the sighting in all likelihood relates to the incidents in Kouvola and Luumäki.

— The criminal investigation is progressing as the landing scenes are made safe for work and as UAV parts are recovered and examined. At the same time, police are conducting tactical investigations, including the interviewing of witnesses. As the investigation progresses, the origin of the devices will also be established, says Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case as grossly negligent endangerment. The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for the investigation into the territorial violation. The National Bureau of Investigation and the Finnish Border Guard have agreed to establish a joint investigation team to investigate the case.

— Finnish Border Guard continues to investigate the territorial violation. For example, searches are being conducted in the lakes near the landing sites to locate further parts of the UAVs, says Deputy Commander Ilja Iljin of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District.

The police wish to emphasise that should members of the public find any debris or other objects in the terrain that may be connected to Sunday's incidents, these must under no circumstances be approached or touched. Any such findings should be reported to the authorities by calling the emergency number 112.

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Police Investigate the Falling of Flying Devices in Southeast Finland

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 15:36:00 GMT

The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) has opened a preliminary investigation into the incidents, initially classifying them as aggravated endangerment of the public. The Border Guard is handling a parallel investigation into a possible territorial violation. Both the Defence Forces and the Border Guard are supporting the police with their specialized capabilities.

– The investigation is still in its early stages. At this point, we are conducting technical examinations as far as possible. While the case is currently being treated as aggravated endangerment of the public, the classification may change as the investigation progresses, said Chief Inspector Olli Töyräs, lead investigator at KRP.

– Our main priority is to determine the origin of the flying devices and why they ended up in Finnish territory. We are working closely with the Border Guard and international partners to get a full understanding of the situation, added Robin Lardot, head of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The incidents came to light on Sunday, 29 March, when police received a report at 10:04 a.m. of a flying device that had fallen in the terrain north of Kouvola in Kymenlaakso. Later, at 12:27 p.m., a second device was reported to have fallen in Luumäki, South Karelia.

The Southeast Finland Police Department has cordoned off the affected areas and carried out necessary evacuations. So far, no injuries or significant property damage have been reported. Police cordons remain in place at the sites.

– Fortunately, the sites are sparsely populated. Technical investigations cannot yet be conducted because safety at the scene must be ensured first, said Deputy Police Chief Pekka Koistinen, who is leading the operation.

Authorities also stress that any debris from the devices found in the terrain should not be touched and must be reported immediately to the police.

– The cooperation between authorities has been excellent. Finland is prepared nationwide for incidents of this kind, said Police Chief Ari Karvonen of the Southeast Finland Police Department.

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Cybercrime is increasingly a part of young people's everyday lives - The Finnish police publishes a guide to support discussing cyber topics

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT

The study commissioned by the Finnish police and conducted by Taloustutkimus mapped the behavior of young people online, their attitudes towards operating in the online environment, and their experiences and participation in cyber-dependent crimes, such as data breach, denial-of-service-attacks or distributing malware.

The study shows, that encountering harmful activity and being lured into criminal activities are everyday occurrences for young people. Approximately half of the young people responding to the survey disclose that they have encountered harmful or suspicious activities online within the 12-month review period. In terms of the Finnish population, an estimated 90.000 youngsters have been the target of a data breach.

One in four young people have encountered requests to participate in activities online, that the young person suspected to be harmful or criminal, or that were later revealed to be criminal.

The nationally representative, population-based study mapped online behavior of 15 to 25-year-olds living in Finland between August 2024 and August 2025. 1065 young people responded to the online survey. This is the first Finnish study examining young people's attitudes towards and participation in cybercriminal activities.

New guide to help facilitate conversations between young people and adults

The Finnish police is publishing a guide for guardians and professionals, such as teachers and youth workers. The guide aims to help educators identify youth cybercrime as a phenomenon and to discuss the topic with youngsters.

− The guide was created in response to requests from stakeholders for an easy-to-use resource on how to prevent cybercrime among young people. Additionally, the goal is to support learning responsible online behavior with the youngster, says project lead Viivi Lehtinen from the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation.

Early intervention requires identifying the phenomenon

Cybercrime committed by young people typically does not start off as a serious crime, but they are often motivated by things such as willingness to experiment, curiosity, mischief or wanting to test their skills. A single cyber-criminal act, however, can have severe consequences. It can also be challenging for a young person to assess the real consequences of the cybercrime.

Cyberattacks targeting school environments, for example, are common amongst young people, and their acts typically mainly motivated by mischief. However, there are several cases known to the police, where a cyberattack that the young person intended to target a school as a form of mischief also disrupted the operation of other municipal systems. The attacks caused severe disruption to the municipality's residents as well as significant financial damage.

Cybercrime can dismantle the livelihood of a small business owner or lead to dissemination of sensitive information of a private person, causing severe and long-lasting consequences to the victim.

The majority of young people do not commit crimes. It is, however, important to understand cybercrime as a phenomenon to be able to intervene in the young person's activities on time. Identifying the phenomenon and early intervention play a key role in combatting cybercrime.

− Cybercrime is not just a technical issue, but a broader societal phenomenon that extensively impacts young people, and that needs to be talked about, highlights Detective Chief Inspector Jussi Larvanto from the National Bureau of Investigation.

Including digital lives into everyday conversations

The digital environment is an integral part of young people's everyday lives. The online environment offers many opportunities and cyber skills will only become more essential as time goes on. Active use of online platforms, however, also exposes young people to various threats and criminal activity. Furthermore, tools and instructions necessary to commit crimes are increasingly available online, and committing a cybercrime does not necessarily require significant technical skill.

According to the study, most young people want to act legally online. However, their understanding of the rules of the web and the boundary between legal and illegal activities does not always develop as quickly as their technical skills, and young people may not recognize what kind of activities online are against the law.

− The online world lacks the signposting to clarify the difference between legal and illegal. Learning responsible online behavior also requires interest and curiosity from adults, and having open conversations with young people, reminds Larvanto.

The Finnish police recommends parents include navigating the digital environment in everyday conversations with the young person. If discussing the cyber environment is a normal part of their everyday life, it also easier for young people to talk about the situations they face online. In addition to learning cyber security skills with the youngster, it is good to together discuss how to act responsibly and legally online.

A guide from the police to support discussing cyber topics

Based on police experience, the importance of cyber topics is recognized, but the subject is often perceived as difficult. If guardians are unfamiliar with the young person's technical interests, it may also feel challenging to discuss the topic. Young people do not actively share their experiences online with adults either. According to the police study, only 14 per cent of young people had told a guardian or another trusted adult about the harmful or suspicious activity they had encountered.

Young people online -guide contains information about youth cybercrime, legislation on cybercrime in Finland, support for discussing cyber issues, as well as advice on how to deal with various problems online. The guide also provides tips on useful materials to help those interested in the subject to explore the cyber world in more depth, as well as examples of legal opportunities in cyber. The guide was created as a part of the National Bureau of Investigation's youth cybercrime prevention action plan, partially funded by the European Union. Youngsters interested in cyber were involved in creating the guide.

The Finnish police will approach schools nationwide to share information about the phenomenon and the guide with guardians and teachers.

You can read the guide here.

This guide is published as a part of the cyber offender prevention operations of the National Bureau of Investigation. Learn more about the youth cybercrime prevention action plan from the Finnish Police website.

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Police investigating an attempted murder at Maatulli Comprehensive School

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:55:00 GMT

The authorities arrived at the school within about six minutes. By the time the police arrived, the 15-year-old suspect had left the scene. The 14-year-old victim was given first aid and taken to the hospital. The victim sustained serious injuries but is currently in a stable condition.

The suspect was apprehended about an hour after the emergency call was made. The arrest proceeded without difficulty. No other individuals have been arrested at this time.

According to initial reports, the incident stemmed from a confrontation between the perpetrator and the victim.

Police investigations have revealed that the confrontation began when one pupil punched another. After that, a third pupil got involved and was stabbed by the pupil who had been punched. The pupils in question had been embroiled in a dispute over the preceding week, which had also involved physical violence. The pre-trial investigation will examine the events of the preceding week and the connection between the people involved and today's incident.

Pupils and staff took shelter in classrooms during the incident. The school’s pupils were held in their classrooms until about 11 am while the police carried out investigations.

The school day then ended early. The City of Helsinki provided on-site crisis support to the pupils.

The investigation will proceed with the questioning of the suspect and other investigative measures. As part of the pre-trial investigation, the police are examining the course of events, as well as any prior incidents that may be related to the offence. The incident is being treated as a case of attempted murder and assault. The 15-year-old who was apprehended is suspected of attempted murder, and the pupil who was fighting with the 15-year-old is suspected of assault.

The police will provide updates on the case as the investigation progresses, if necessary.

This incident may give rise to thoughts and concerns. The City of Helsinki’s crisis emergency service is available to Helsinki residents 24 hours a day on 09 310 44222. Other organisations can also provide help; their contact information can be found at: Support for Helsinki residents at a time of crisis | City of Helsinki

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JEF Leaders' Summit in Helsinki – Temporary Traffic Disruptions Expected

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:38:00 GMT

The police are responsible for the security and traffic arrangements in connection with the summit.

The summit and the movement of guests may cause temporary traffic closures and special traffic arrangements in Helsinki city centre. The police will direct traffic as necessary.

A temporary restricted airspace has been established over Helsinki city centre. The restriction is in force on Wednesday, 25 March from 16:00 to 23:00, and on Thursday, 26 March from 08:00 to 23:00.

The restriction applies to both manned and unmanned aviation, including drones. The restricted airspace has been established to ensure the safety of the summit and of official aviation operations. The restriction does not apply to authorities whose statutory duties require them to operate within the area.

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Violence incident at Maatulli School

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:47:00 GMT

At 11.07 a.m. This incident may give you pause for thought. The City of Helsinki’s crisis hotline offers support to Helsinki residents 24 hours a day at 09 310 44222.

Help is also available from other organizations, whose contact information can be found on this website: Support for Helsinki residents at a time of crisis | City of Helsinki

At 10.42 a.m. According to police reports, the incident involved a dispute between two middle school students, and no other students or staff members were targeted.

The investigation still ongoing at the scene. Crisis counseling is being provided to students at Maatulli School in connection with the incident. The school is informing students’ guardians about what happened and how the school day will continue.

At 10.22 a.m. The victim of the crime is also a minor. The victim received first aid at the scene and has been taken for further treatment. The police have apprehended the suspect. The apprehension went smoothly.

At 10.01 a.m. Police has inspected the school premises and confirmed that everyone at the school and daycare center is safe. Staff and authorities are handling further measures on site. The area has been cordoned off for the time being.

The suspect is a minor and is believed to have left the school grounds. There is no longer any danger to those at the school.

At 9.47 a.m. An incident involving a violent crime is underway at Maatulli School. Police are on the school premises investigating the events. According to current information, the crime targeted one person.

We will provide further updates as soon as possible.

This news is no longer being updated.

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Police investigating Malminkartano homicide as murder

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:24:00 GMT

The scene of the crime is Luutnantintie, near Malminkartano railway station. The victim, a man born in the 1940s, died as a result of the stabbing.

"The police are investigating the act as murder. The pre-trial investigation has revealed that the act was carried out in a particularly brutal and cruel manner. In addition to violence committed with an edged weapon, significant further violence was directed at the victim. Based on current information, the victim and the suspect were not previously known to each other," says the investigator in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Jari Korkalainen.

The suspect, a man born in the 1990s, is currently detained. The police will be applying for a detention order.

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Police suspect homicide in Malminkartano in Helsinki

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:23:00 GMT

The victim was a man born in the 1940s. He died at the scene despite resuscitation attempts.

Police apprehended the suspect shortly after the incident. The suspect is a man born in the 1990s. The apprehension took place without resistance.

Police are investigating the matter as manslaughter. The charges may change as the investigation progresses.

Police will provide further information on the incident tomorrow.

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New guidelines by the National Police Board help gambling operators to take into account the obligations related to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing in their operations

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:06:00 GMT

The Finnish Act on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing obliges gambling operators to take active measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Failure to comply with or violate the obligations of the Act on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing may result in sanctions, such as administrative sanctions, revocation of the licence or criminal prosecution.

“The Finnish gambling industry is undergoing a transformation. It is hoped that the new guidelines will draw the attention of gambling operators entering the Finnish market to the obligations prescribed in the Act on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. As an example, operators are required to carry out a risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing, they are obliged to know their customers and they are obliged to report suspicious transactions. The guidelines highlight the obligations under the law and the measures to fulfil the obligations,” says Senior Adviser Krista Medjeral of the National Police Board.

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Police Band meets more than 30,000 kids and teens every year

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:04:00 GMT

The Helsinki Police Department celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The police will be involved in several events around the city to celebrate the anniversary. This Friday, the Helsinki Police Department and the children’s ensemble of the Helsinki Police Band, Nallekopla (‘teddy bear gang’), will participate in an Eid al-Fitr event at the Itis shopping centre. The event is for the whole family and has free admission.

Nallekopla will entertain visitors from 14.00 to 14.30 and from 15.00 to 15.30, and the friendly police info desk will be open from 14.00 to 17.00. The police lion will also make an appearance between musical performances.

“Events like these are important opportunities for us to meet with children and families and build trust in the police. It is essential for children to see at an early age that in Finland the police are trustworthy and easy to approach. You can always go to the police for help," says Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen.

The Helsinki Police Band has been an integral part of the Police Department since 1947. In addition to its traditional concerts, the Police Band engages in important educational work among kids and teens in various formations. Positive interactions through music help foster trust in the police in childhood. This forms part of the preventive police work of the Helsinki Police Department.

School concerts given by the Helsinki Police Band have a combined audience of more than 30,000 kids and teens every year, from daycare to middle school. The goal with these is to engage children and adolescents in their day-to-day environment, to offer them musical experiences and to reinforce the image of the police as safe and approachable authority figures.

Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. In Finland this year, it falls on 19–20 March.

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Annual report of the police for 2025 is ready

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:29:00 GMT

The emphasis in 2025 was on criminal investigations, especially on the processing of large volumes of cases. Crimes committed by children and young people and the prevention of violent crime have been the focus of special attention, and this work will continue during 2026. Intensified monitoring of organised crime, street gangs and related international phenomena continued and preventive measures were targeted based on knowledge gathered. As a result of the intensification measures, the number of persons removed from Finland by the police increased by about 34 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year.

According to the citizens’ assessment, the police are trusted and have a good reputation. Based on the results of the Trust & Reputation survey, the interaction by the police is perceived as good, and people wish to hear the views of the police organisation.

The number of assignments and responsibilities have increased

The number of police assignments related to surveillance and emergency response operations has increased significantly. At the same time as the numbers have increased, the assignments have become more demanding and the behaviour of the customers of the police has become more aggressive. This daily reality faced by the police has a significant impact on issues such as making preparations for police operations and the planning of surveillance.

The surveillance and disturbance indices constitute the key indicators of the effectiveness of surveillance operations. Their objective is to indicate that increased police surveillance reduces disturbances in public places and that the action by the police also plays a significant role in the prevention of crime. As an example, by following the indices in the areas of large cities, it can be seen that increased surveillance of public places has affected the number of disturbances and crimes in public places.

When looking at surveillance and emergency response operations in 2025 as a whole, it can be stated that although the number of assignments and responsibilities have increased, it has been possible to maintain the effectiveness of the operations at a good level and even increase it as compared to 2024.

The police continued to allocate resources to criminal investigations

The number of offences against the Criminal Code rose significantly during 2025. At the same time, the productivity and level of solved crimes in crime prevention have improved. More resources have been allocated to crime prevention, and especially to criminal investigations, in recent years in accordance with the objectives of the Government Programme. This allocation has aimed at balancing the workload and resources of police units. Despite the positive trend, the workload of criminal investigations in relation to the resources still constitutes a major shortcoming that must be corrected in the future as well.

Serious crimes committed by identified members of street gangs have decreased in 2024 and 2025. The police have been able to identify persons belonging to street gangs and the connections between gangs and gang members. This has made it possible to direct and focus police operations to identified persons and targets based on available information. The police have prevented, uncovered and investigated crimes suspected of being committed by street gang members, and criminal liability has been realised.

The police are developing administration

As part of the productivity programme of the central government, the police launched its own productivity programme in 2024. In 2025, the programme shifted from preparation to implementation. This means a large-scale increase in productivity, a centralisation of administrative and support measures, and the development and harmonisation of processes. All this also lays the foundation for a wider utilisation of digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

The goal of the development of the processes for administrative and support measures is to intensify the operations and reduce the workload. The savings target concerning those working in administrative and support duties on a nation-wide level is a reduction of at least 10 per cent from the situation in 2024.

Human resources

The actual number of police person-workyears increased by 1.7 per cent from the previous year, and the target for total person-workyears was achieved. The operational efforts of the police have been consolidated in accordance with the objectives.

According to the HenkilöstöBaro personnel barometer, the overall satisfaction of the personnel of the entire police and the National Police Board was at a good level. The number of sick leave days in 2025 was 9.9 days per person-year, which is at the same level as in the corresponding period of the previous year.

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The police are becoming aware of an increasing number of suspected sexual offences committed by minors.

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:27:00 GMT

The largest increase is in the number of offences related to sexually explicit material involving children.
“For example, in 2025, the police were notified of 241 cases in which a person under the age of 15 was suspected of distributing sexually explicit material involving children. Exposure to harmful content online can increase a child’s risk of committing a crime themselves, such as sexual violence,” says Chief Inspector Saara Asmundela from the National Police Board.

International research also shows that the number of suspected cases of sexual violence committed by children and young people is on the rise. According to a study conducted in England and Wales in 2022, the most common age of all suspects of sexual violence was 14.

Online safety and recommendations: How can we protect children under the age of 13 from the dangers of the digital world?

The internet and social media give children and young people the opportunity to search for information, explore the world, pursue hobbies, produce content, and meet peers and people of the same age. At the same time, however, they can potentially be exposed to all the bad things that they may not encounter so easily offline. The evil, harmful, and criminal elements of the offline world are present wherever people are, including online.

The police recommend that parents follow the national recommendations for children aged 0–13 on the use of digital devices during leisure time, published by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in January 2026. The recommendations were drafted in consultation with a large group of professionals from the education and health sectors. The recommendations seek to promote children’s wellbeing, safety, and learning and prevent the harmful effects of digital devices and exposure to harmful content.

The recommendations also include suggestions for content suitable for different age groups. It should be noted that giving smartphones to under-13s is not recommended. Furthermore, the recommendations state that children under the age of 13 should not use social media. In fact, the minimum age for users of all the most popular social media apps is 13. The police urge parents to ensure that their children do not use apps that are unsuitable for their age bracket. Furthermore, the recommendations state that children should not be exposed to content or applications that contain material that could harm their development, such as substance abuse, violence, or disturbing or sexual content.

Online content may expose children to sexual violence

Some content on the internet and social media, such as material depicting violence and children in a sexual context, is harmful to viewers of any age. However, children and young people in particular may see things and content online that they do not understand or are not equipped to process at their stage of development. It can be difficult for them to raise such matters with a trusted adult if they cannot articulate how they feel.

The internet and social media also normalise things that might feel strange or wrong offline. Internet users can chat and "make friends" with complete strangers without knowing anything about them at all. People may share information about themselves online that they would not disclose to strangers in their offline lives. Internet users may seek the approval of others by sharing visual content such as photos and videos. Sending a nude photo to a stranger online may not feel as strange as handing over the same photo to a stranger on the street. Messaging with strangers about sexual things can also be easier online than discussing the same topics offline.

The internet is also used to search for information. Children and young people become curious and interested in sexual matters, especially at certain stages of their development. Sex education aims to provide children with the information and skills they need to protect themselves better and act appropriately. Sex education also involves teaching emotional skills and the names of body parts and functions so that children are able to describe where they have been touched, for example, if they are ever subjected to violence.

If sex education is not available elsewhere or is insufficient to answer children’s questions, they may, in the worst case scenario, use the internet as a tool for sex education. In such cases, pornography or even illegal material may provide an example for children to follow in their sexual activity, behaviour, and respect or disrespect for the boundaries of others. According to a British study, 27 per cent of young people reported having seen pornography before the age of 11. It has been estimated that children’s exposure to pornography may affect their behaviour and normalise sexual violence, especially against girls and women.

Protect children from harmful content online

As a parent, you should take an interest in your children’s use of digital devices and discuss it with them.
A great way to help your child with this is to give them a stack of sticky notes and make an agreement with them that if they have something on their mind that is difficult to talk about, they can put a sticky note on the fridge door, for example. This acts as a sign that you should prepare for the conversation and create a safe space for it.
Guide children and young people in the safe use of digital devices in accordance with their age and stage of development. For example, the National Cyber Security Centre Finland has compiled and created information security materials for children, parents, and educators (Children’s information security skills | Cyber Security Center).
Arrange meaningful activities for children and young people that do not involve digital devices. Doing things together creates a healthy and safe sense of community and belonging.
Age restrictions for social media, games, and apps must be followed.
The family can agree that children should not shut themselves in rooms (bedrooms or bathrooms) with their phones. The whole family could also leave their phones overnight in the kitchen or living room, for example. The Protect Children Association and DNA have developed a “Phone parking lot” (Phone parking lot) for this purpose.
Use your telecom operator’s technical solutions to filter age-appropriate content for children. For example, you can set time limits for internet use, block your child from viewing harmful content, and control which apps your child can use.
Talk to your child about consent and its importance in relationships. Asking for consent should be a normal part of interaction, and children and young people should be taught how to ask for consent from others.

More information and support for parents

Guidance clinics, school health care, family counselling centre
SOS Children’s Village services to support parenting (Parenting support - SOS Children’s Village)
Save the Children Finland’s Online Tips, an online parents’ evening. The next one is on 11 March with the theme "Staying safe online – How to protect children from online dangers" (Turvallisesti verkossa – Miten suojata lasta verkon vaaroilta? -verkkovanhempainilta 11.3.2026 - Pelastakaa Lapset)
Save the Children Finland’s Huippula service for children, young people, and adults: what every parent should know about the dangers of the internet (Kuka suojaa lastasi verkossa? — Huippula)
Save the Children Finland’s guide for parents on digital safety skills (Online Safety Guide for Parents “Not Just a Device”)

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Two 15-year-olds suspected of attempted murder ordered by another party

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Based on the pre-trial investigation, the police suspect that a drug debt led to reprisals in a case of arson and attempted murder.

The crimes under investigation include attempted murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated criminal mischief, an aggravated narcotics offence, and aggravated violation of domestic privacy.

Three suspects, who were 15 years old at the time of the incident, remain in custody. Two of them are suspected of attempted murder and aggravated criminal mischief. All three are also suspected of aggravated narcotics offences.

The young age of the suspects and the seriousness of the crimes are exceptional in pre-trial investigations into organised crime in Finland.

Several suspects have connections to street gangs in Northern Helsinki, and the crimes are considered to have been committed, at least to some extent, as part of an organised criminal group.

Drug debts being collected

Since December 2025, the Helsinki Police Department has been investigating a series of crimes involving large-scale drug dealing and acts of revenge motivated by drug-related debts.

The pre-trial investigation indicates that the incidents arose in the wake of a failed drug deal in December. This gave rise to a debt and sparked a chain of events that led to arson and attempted murder.

Shortly after the drug deal, three men went to an apartment in Helsinki, looking for the person who owed money for the drug deal. The only people there were bystanders: a couple with a young child. The debtor was not present. The people in the apartment were threatened with violence if they failed to reveal the debtor’s whereabouts. At least one suspect had a weapon, and these suspects threatened to blow up the apartment. Eventually, the suspects absconded with a passport and a mobile phone belonging to the injured party.

The incident is being investigated as an aggravated robbery, and the suspects remain in custody.

Debt collection escalated into aggravated criminal mischief and attempted murder

A few days later, on 17 December 2025, a fire was deliberately set in the stairwell of an apartment building in Korso, Vantaa.

The fire spread very quickly and posed an immediate threat to the lives of all the residents in the stairwell. The stairwell was the building’s only exit route, so the rescue services had to evacuate several people through windows. The entire stairwell was engulfed in life-threatening combustion fumes and flames. The most intense area of fire was in front of the target apartment, and it posed a real risk of spreading into the apartment.

“The pre-trial investigation indicated that the arson deliberately targeted the home of a close relative of a previously sought debtor and the stairwell connected to it. Fortunately, the fire brigade arrived quickly and brought the fire under control. It was only by luck that serious personal injury was avoided,” says Detective Chief Inspector Markku Juurikkamäki of the Helsinki Police Department, who is the head investigator.

The pre-trial investigation revealed that the arson had been planned in a highly systematic way and that various preparations had been made. Among other things, the adults who planned the crime bought a mobile phone with a subscription specifically for the crime. The phone and subscription were given to two 15-year-old suspects, who were instructed to use the phone to commit arson at the address in question. One of them is suspected of starting the fire using a flammable liquid directed at the target apartment in accordance with the instructions he had received.

A total of four people are suspected of aggravated criminal mischief and attempted murder, and they are all in custody. According to the pre-trial investigation, one of them had visited the scene a few days earlier, searching for a drug debtor.

Three 15-year-olds suspected of large-scale drug dealing

During the investigation, the police discovered that the 15-year-old suspects had also been involved in large-scale drug dealing.

One of the suspects was arrested during a drug deal. He had managed to hand over three kilograms of amphetamines to another person. A working firearm and approximately €7,000 in cash were seized from the 15-year-old suspect at the time of his arrest.

In addition, the police discovered an apartment in a nearby building where the three 15-year-olds had stored and distributed drugs. All of them are suspected of involvement in the handling and distribution of significant quantities of narcotics. Approximately 15 kilograms of amphetamines and over €10,000 in cash were seized from the apartment.

Based on preliminary investigations, the drug dealing and related acts of revenge were orchestrated from abroad. Several people have been involved in their implementation and preparation.

Several adults were involved in the incidents in Finland in addition to the three 15-year-old suspects. The pre-trial investigation is now complete and focuses on ten suspects, seven of whom remain in custody.

The suspects are citizens of Finland, Somalia, Kosovo, and Iraq. One holds dual citizenship in Finland and Somalia, and another in Finland and Kosovo.

“The police were able to track down the suspects fairly soon after the fire on 17 December 2025. The investigation quickly linked the motive to a previous aggravated robbery. The identities of the suspects were gradually uncovered through the police’s own intelligence gathering and various pre-trial investigation measures. Suspects were apprehended at several different stages of the pre-trial investigation,” says Detective Chief Inspector Markku Juurikkamäki, the head investigator.

Crime as a Service is also a reality in Finland

Crime as a Service, a phenomenon linked to organised crime in Sweden, has become an aspect of Finnish criminality.

Over the past year, the Helsinki Police Department has investigated serious crimes where members of Swedish organised crime groups have recruited individuals from Sweden to commit violence in Finland.

This model is used in Sweden, where serious crimes are committed by minors who been taken into care outside their families. They have reduced criminal liability or no liability at all. This makes them an appealing target for exploitation by organised crime groups. Based on the cases reported to the Helsinki Police Department, this model has also become a reality in Finland.

“The exploitation of minors and vulnerable young people for criminal purposes is a despicable and highly concerning practice. Similarly, targeting family members or bystanders with violence demonstrates the lack of morality among organised criminals,” says Senior Detective Superintendent Kimmo Sainio of the Helsinki Police Department.

Crime as a Service poses ever-greater challenges for authorities and underlines the importance of cooperation and information sharing among them. This phenomenon will put young people who have fallen into a spiral of crime and other vulnerable young people at real risk in the future.

It also raises the danger to the lives and health of outsiders if reprisals target bystanders or if weapons or explosives are used in violent offences.

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Police officers fallen in the line of duty honoured with flags flying at half-mast

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

On 7 March every year International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Officers is organised by Interpol to honour the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Since the International Day of Remembrance falls on a Saturday this year, the Police of Finland will fly the flags at half-mast and observe one minute’s silence already on Friday 6 March.

Global Blue Chain

In the Interpol campaign ‘Global Blue Chain’, national buildings and landmarks all over the world will be illuminated in blue.

Police University College will participate by lighting the campus main building in Hervanta in blue between 6 and 7 March 2026.

Finnish officers fallen in the line of duty – an online exhibition

Finnish police fatalities are displayed in the online exhibition ‘In Memoriam – Police killed in the line of duty’ of the Police Museum. The exhibition includes a database of 164 police fatalities, in which a police officer has fallen due to violence or accident. In Finland two officers have lost their lives due to violence in the line of duty in the 21st century.

The Police Museum in Tampere will organise a guided tour free of charge following the online exhibition theme on 7 March. The guided tour is in Finnish. More information on the guidance and exhibition is available on the web pages of the Police Museum.

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A major fire in Pähkinärinne Vantaa

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:44:00 GMT

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but rescue operations continue and several rescue and first aid units as well as police patrols are at the site. The police have operational command of the situation.

The police have cordoned off the place and ask the inhabitants to avoid moving in the area. Outsiders are not in danger.

The police suspect the fire was deliberately started and one person has been arrested on suspicion of the crime.

Five people died in the fire.

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Applications for gambling licences can be submitted from next week – dozens of applications are expected

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:57:00 GMT

As of 2 March 2026, gambling companies can use the online service of regional administration to make an application for a licence for betting games, slot machine and casino games played online, as well as electronic money bingo. The licence applications are processed and the licences are granted by the National Police Board. The licence is valid for five years.

In addition to a gambling licence, companies can also make an application for an international co-operation licence if the licensed company intends to offer gambling games together with an operator that does not have an operating licence in Finland.

Companies that have been granted a licence to organise gambling can start operating in accordance with the licence.

“A similar change in the other Nordic countries has resulted in a few dozen applications, and corresponding numbers can be expected in Finland as well. We hope that licence applicants will avoid constant contacts with the National Police Board, as responding to inquiries takes up working time from the processing of applications. We estimate that the processing period will be about 3 to 6 months,” says Riikka Ruokolainen, Senior Adviser at the National Police Board.

Make an online application for a licence

We recommend that licence applicants submit the application in the online service of regional administration. It is advisable to fill in the application carefully and make sure to also include all the necessary attachments. A carefully completed application expedites the processing of the application.

Further information on gambling licences, application instructions and a link to the online service can be found on the police website.

Gambling and marketing of gambling games will begin no earlier than July 2027

The licences will enter into force in July 2027 at the earliest. Even though the licence decision can be obtained earlier, gambling companies can only offer and market their games in accordance with their own licence from 1 July 2027.

“At the moment, only Veikkaus Oy has the right to market gambling in mainland Finland. After the reform, licence holders will have the right to market their games. The marketing of gambling by other operators is illegal and will be intervened in,” says Juhani Wallinvirta, Head of Group at the National Police Board.

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Results of police licence services in 2025

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:31:00 GMT

The demand for passports and identity cards in particular decreased significantly compared to the previous year. This trend is largely a consequence of the exceptionally small demand during the Covid years: passports and identity cards in Finland are valid for five years, and the documents issued in 2020 were due for renewal in 2025.

A total of 579,625 passport applications were made in 2025, which is 30.3 per cent less than in 2024. The total number of identity card applications was 381,299, and their number decreased by 25 per cent from the previous year. There was also a slight decrease in firearms and security service licences and a slight increase in other licence matters. However, passports and identity cards with their largest volumes cause the biggest fluctuations in the number of customers.

Nearly half a million customers use appointments made in advance

The key performance objective of the Licence Administration of the police in 2025 was to ensure sufficient availability of advance appointments for customers.

In 2025, the customer service of the Licence Administration of the police served its customers with a total of approximately 496,500 advance appointments in all licence matters. A total of 438,458 advance appointments were made in passport and identity card matters.

The highest numbers of advance appointments were made in the areas of the police departments of Central Finland, Southwestern Finland, Helsinki and Eastern Uusimaa, where demand was also high. The high demand was also responded to: The Helsinki Police Department increased the number of available advance appointments by almost 40 per cent compared to 2024. The increase in the number of advance appointments together with a more even flow of customers facilitated the situation especially in the licence services in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.

Approximately 523,000 advance appointments were offered for passport and identity card matters in the whole of Finland. However, some of the appointments were not used in different regions, and in Lapland and the Oulu region, among other places, customers often used the services without making an advance appointment. One quarter of the passports and identity cards were renewed in a lighter procedure, in other words without a personal visit to the police department.

76 per cent of the passport and identity card applications were submitted through the online service. In 2026, the Licence Administration of the police will continue to ensure a sufficient supply of advance appointments throughout the country. Target numbers have been set for all police departments to produce advance appointments, and a sufficient level of appointments based on waiting for an appointment to become available at a police station will also be maintained.

“To make the use of the service smoother, it is always a good idea to start the application on the police website. The online service guides the customer to the right service path,” says Hanna Piipponen, Chief of Licence Administration.

The up-to-date opening hours of the police licence services and more information on all services can be found at: poliisi.fi

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Police and domestic violence: Who is responsible for the prevention of domestic violence?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:53:00 GMT

The National Police Board has recently issued a new guideline concerning the prevention of domestic violence, which deals with the responsibilities of both field patrols and criminal investigation.

Violence, and especially domestic violence against women, is a serious problem in Finland. However, ensuring the security of an individual cannot be left to the criminal process alone, as Minna Ketola points out in her blog.

Violence is often caused by difficulties in life management

The root causes of domestic violence may include substance abuse problems, mental health problems or other life management difficulties.

“It would be justified that Finland, just like Sweden, would have legislation that regulates preventive efforts. This legislation would define the responsibilities of the different parties, such as local administration, wellbeing services counties, crime prevention authorities and parties involved in the criminal process. This would also enable the monitoring of the effectiveness, economy and profitability of the efforts,” Minna Ketola points out in her blog.

Read the blog by Assistant Police Commissioner Minna Ketola: Are the police the only party whose duty it is to prevent domestic violence?

Help is available

The police encourage both the victim and the perpetrator to seek help for the problem of violence and the victim to report the crime.

The police website contains information on those who can help.

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Police statistics for 2025 published

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:25:00 GMT

The most common police statistics can be freely accessed on the poliisi.fi website. The statistics are updated monthly and the full year's statistics are usually available in February. The statistics for 2025 were published on 18 February 2026.

We publish monthly statistics on all

crimes reported to the police and emergency responses by the police
operational response times
service capability times
traffic surveillance activities
paid permits issued by the police.

Most of the statistics can be examined at a nationwide, police department and municipal level.

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Tachographs under special examination in the intensified surveillance operation of heavy goods traffic by the police

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:47:00 GMT

The intensified surveillance period for heavy goods traffic began on Monday 2 February and ended on Friday 6 February. During that period, the police found 150 driving and rest time violations and 89 tachograph violations.

“The number of driving and rest time violations was still at the same level as in the corresponding surveillance campaigns in recent years. This time, we paid more attention to the correct use of the tachograph. As a result of this, the number of related offences more than doubled,” says Chief Superintendent Kari Onninen.

A total of 69 road transports of dangerous goods were inspected, of which 11 were found to be worthy of a sanction, and the number of these types of offences increased compared to the previous enforcement periods.

A total of 50 penalties were recorded of vehicles that were found to be in a poor condition, and the journey of twelve vehicles was interrupted due to malfunctions that were particularly dangerous to traffic safety. The number of vehicles in a poor condition was at the same level as in previous similar enforcement campaigns.

Moreover, 24 penalties were issued for inadequate load securing and ten for overloads.

The enforcement campaign concerning freight traffic was targeted at compliance with driving and rest times, securing the load, the condition of vehicles, and overloads. These issues have been defined as the focal areas of heavy goods transport surveillance by the police this year.

During the enforcement period, a total of 1,302 heavy goods vehicles were inspected, of which 1,160 were Finnish vehicles and 126 were foreign, as well as 16 buses. The police spent a total of about 2,900 hours of work time on the surveillance campaign.

At least one penalty was imposed on 26 per cent of the drivers. The corresponding share during the enforcement period in 2025 was 20 per cent.

All police departments participated in the intensified surveillance campaign in their own areas.

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Check the validity of your passport and identity card for travel in the winter and spring period

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:38:00 GMT

It is always best to use the online service for the renewal. When submitting an online application, the system will tell you whether you need an identification appointment at a police station. At the same time, it is easy to book an appointment at the police station of your choice. If you make an application for a passport or identity card online, it is also slightly cheaper than a travel document obtained from a police station. If the renewal of your passport or identity card has been delayed until the last minute, it is also possible to visit the police station without an appointment, but in this case you should be prepared to wait for an official to become available.

A ten-year passport is not yet available

Some clients are waiting for the maximum validity of the passport to extend to ten years. However, you should not wait to renew your passport, because it will take time for the validity period to change. The legislative amendments required by the changed validity period have not yet been taken to Parliament.

How to renew your passport or identification card

Have a passport photograph taken of you. The photograph attached to the passport or identity card application must be no more than six months old.
Start making an application for a new travel document at poliisi.fi
The system will direct you to book an appointment at a police station, if this is necessary. Make sure to cancel your appointment if you cannot make it.
Retrieve your completed document when you receive the pick-up notification.

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An elderly man is suspected of having lived in the basement of a detached house for years under inhumane conditions

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:06:00 GMT

In the basement of the house, the police discovered an approximately 80-year-old man in poor physical condition and in need of immediate assistance. The living space the man had been using was a windowless room, lacking access to bathing facilities, a toilet, or the ability to prepare food. According to information gathered during the preliminary investigation, the man had moved into the space several decades ago. The man, who had been living in the basement, is now under the care of the appropriate authorities.

The Helsinki Police Department continue their investigation to determine whether other individuals living in the same house have committed human trafficking, exploiting the man’s dependent situation and placing him in degrading conditions, potentially for financial gain.

In connection with the criminal suspicion, the police have detained two men and one woman. The suspects are approximately 60 years old and residents of Helsinki.

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Police uncover a large drug smuggling and distribution organisation in the Helsinki metropolitan area

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:37:00 GMT

A Swedish organisation is suspected of importing hundreds of kilos of narcotics into Finland, and these narcotics have been distributed onwards by street gangs, among others.

The organisation brought more than 300 kilos of drugs into Finland in 2025

In 2025, people coming from Sweden are suspected of having supplied large quantities of various drugs out of apartments in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Based on international cooperation and investigations by the police, the investigation team identified several individuals who were mainly linked to a Swedish criminal organisation and who received and distributed very large quantities of narcotics in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

During the pre-trial investigation, the police seized 220 kilos of amphetamines, around 50 kilos of cocaine, almost 400,000 pharmaceutical items classified as narcotics, and firearms from the apartments used by the suspects.

“The pre-trial investigation indicated that the case is linked to international drug crime led from abroad, with individuals connected to Finnish street gangs also involved in various roles. The pre-trial investigation was carried out in cooperation with the Swedish police in particular, and as the investigation progressed, the Norwegian police were also involved. Effective national and international cooperation has played a crucial role in solving the case," says Senior Detective Superintendent Masi Puolakka, the head investigator.

The total number of suspects is around 30, of whom 13 are currently still in custody. Aggravated narcotics offences and firearms offences are suspected. All the suspects are of legal age. Swedish nationals and Somali nationals living in Finland are prominent among the suspects.

Shooting at Puustellinmäki on Christmas Eve 2024 spurred an investigation into aggravated narcotics offences

Alongside the investigation into the import of drugs, the task force for street gang crime has investigated the distribution of drugs by street gangs, where the drugs were obtained from the above-mentioned organisation.

The investigation started after a shooting in Puustellinmäki, Espoo, on Christmas Eve 2024. During this pre-trial investigation, the team learned that the suspects in the shooting case were also suspected of receiving and distributing drugs obtained from a Swedish organisation.

In addition, cooperation has been carried out with Eastern Uusimaa Police Department who has detained one person connected to the case. In total, the police suspect that dozens of kilos of various drugs were acquired and sold in 2024 and 2025.

“Based on the pre-trial investigation, the street gang members are suspected to have purchased narcotics from the Swedes in batches of one or two kilos and moved them on quickly,” says Senior Detective Superintendent Marko Forss of the Helsinki Police Department.

The street gang is suspected of having stored drugs, firearms, and money, mainly in short-term rented apartments in various parts of the Helsinki metropolitan area. Using such apartments to store illegal goods is today more the rule than the exception.

Nine people linked to the street gang have been arrested in connection with the case, seven of whom are still in custody. About a kilo of cocaine, smaller quantities of other drugs, three handguns, and about €70,000 in cash were seized during the pre-trial investigation into the street gang.

The cases will soon be submitted for the consideration of charges.

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Keeping the capital safe for 200 years – Helsinki Police Department responds to the constantly changing operating environment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Helsinki Police Department celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Established in 1826, the police force was tasked with maintaining order in the growing city, protecting people from crime and upholding social peace. Although today's environment is completely different, the police still have the same core mission: to keep people safe, protect the city, and act as a safeguard under all circumstances.

Last year saw significant changes in the Helsinki police’s operating environment. The numbers of police missions and crime reports increased, but the police also improved their performance, response times, and rates of crimes solved. One particular concern was the sharp increase in drug use, particularly of alpha-PVP, and the resulting disorder, criminality, and serious health problems.

More call-outs, record preparedness

Last year, the Helsinki Police Department received a total of 162,099 call-outs, almost 20,000 more than the year before. The number category A missions – the most important category – increased by 13.3%. Despite the heavier workload, the Helsinki police's average response time for category A call-outs was better than ever before, at 4.8 minutes.

Last year, 93 295 crimes were reported to the Helsinki police. The number of crimes rose by 12,4% from 2024. Despite this growth, investigation times were reduced, and the rate of crimes solved increased.

“Just over a year ago, we made major organisational changes within the Helsinki Police Department. Now, looking at the results for the past year as a whole, it seems our decisions were the right ones, and we have met, or even surpassed, the targets we set ourselves. The operating environment is changing rapidly, and we need to develop continuously in order to meet ever-changing needs," says Police Commissioner Jari Liukku, Police Chief at the Helsinki Police Department.

Drug offences continue to rise

The number of drug users and the volume of drugs consumed in Finland are rising sharply. The number of drug-related offences reported to the Helsinki police increased by almost 10% last year, and the number of aggravated narcotics offences climbed by over 15%.

A growing demand for drugs is fuelling transnational organised crime linked to their production, importation, and distribution. The street drug trade and the use of drugs cause disorder, which often manifests itself in violence, property offences, and other criminality. In particular, the sharp increase in alpha-PVP use is reflected in more unpredictable and aggressive behaviour.

“The key to overall safety is to stem the continuous rise in the number of drug users, especially among younger age groups. The Helsinki police work closely with other authorities, the city, and various stakeholders to prevent the use and sale of drugs and the safety hazards they cause to citizens," Liukku emphasises.

The share of foreigners in the street and online drug trade has increased. In response, the Helsinki police have stepped up the rate of crime-based deportations and will continue to do so. The number of deportations related to combating immediate threats to public order and security has also increased. Last year, the Helsinki police deported 962 people, which was 331 more than the year before.

“Deportations are an integral part of maintaining public order and security,” says Chief Inspector Simo Kauppinen.

Visible surveillance and police presence are essential

One major focus of the Helsinki Police Department over the past year has been increasing the amount of visible surveillance and police presence at trouble spots. This is one concrete measure the police have taken in response to the disturbances caused by the growing drug problem. Surveillance has been carried out in wide-ranging cooperation with stakeholders, and the police have adopted an information-driven approach based on their own analysis and feedback from stakeholders and residents. There has also been an increase in camera surveillance at hotspots and the introduction of a mobile surveillance trailer, which has received a lot of positive feedback.

Last year, the Helsinki police carried out 76.9% more public-order tasks on their own initiative than in the previous year. In addition, the number of foot patrols almost doubled compared to 2024.

“Making citizens feel safe and secure is the police's most important task. This year, the police department will step up its information-led policing to combat drug trafficking, serious criminality, and offences and disturbances that compromise public order and safety,” says Police Chief Jari Liukku.

The national school police model was launched a year ago as a preventive measure targeted at young people. It has since become an established aspect of policing. This means that police officers from the surveillance unit will continue to actively visit Helsinki’s schools and nearby areas and engage in dialogue with children and young people. The police also support schools in problem-solving situations. The school police activities also include online lessons from the national Koulu25 team and a strong social media presence among Koulu25 officers.

One of the main priorities is to combat crime by juveniles and street gangs

In the capital region, there have been observations of youth gangs formed by minors. These gangs are stigmatized in different areas and move around the capital region. Some of the young people belonging to these groups cause disturbances and commit crimes together. A relatively small group of the most challenging young people are responsible for the majority of serious youth crimes, such as robberies and assaults. Police departments in the capital region are currently mapping the exact number of the most challenging youngsters.

In many areas around the capital region, there are street gangs consisting of young adults who are actively involved in drug dealing and violence. Street gangs and their members change rapidly, and some of the gangs that were active a few years ago may no longer exist, having been replaced by new ones.

– Youth and gang crime in the capital region is changing rapidly. The current situation involves groups of minors committing crimes, street gangs formed by young adults and organized crime led from Sweden that supplies drugs to street gangs. The role of a juvenile offender can quickly change to that of a professional criminal. Preventing this requires swift and strict measures from the authorities, says Detective Chief Superintendent Markku Heinikari.

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Police to effectively enforce compliance with new firearms regulations

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:31:00 GMT

An amendment to weapons offences, in other words an amendment to chapter 41 of the Criminal Code, entered into force on 1 January 2026. The amendment aims to reduce weapons offences and offences committed using weapons.

The most visible changes resulting from the amendment are changes to the statutory definitions of offences and tougher punishments. For example, the most severe penalty for possession of a dangerous object is now two years imprisonment, whereas it was previously one year. Other changes to the penal scale have been made. Namely, the least severe punishment for aggravated firearms offences was increased from four months imprisonment to two years, which means that the prison sentence for such an offence is unconditional.

“The amendment made to weapons offences and especially the changes made to the penal scale seek to highlight the reprehensibility of these offences,” says National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki at the National Police Board.

“The legislative amendment seeks to seriously address the possession of unlawful firearms in public places. Such an offence may well meet the statutory definition of a firearms offence,” Koskimäki points out.

The amendment will also be reflected in so-called mass crimes. The police could earlier deal with possession, without an acceptable reason, of an object - such as a flick knife or sheath knife - or a substance capable of causing serious harm to another in a public place by issuing a fine. Now, however, the situation has changed, since the most severe punishment for such an offence is as much as one year of imprisonment. Therefore, it can no longer be processed through fine proceedings outside of a court of law.

“Such an offence will be investigated in a criminal investigation and pass to the prosecutor for consideration of charges. Society does not take this kind of criminality lightly,” says Chief Superintendent Konsta Arvelin at the National Police Board.

The police are ready to play their part in the effectively implementing the amendment made to weapons offences. In practice, this means various enforcement and investigation measures as well as the effective use of coercive measures.

“Effective enforcement of the law is important in terms of both general and specific deterrence. People need to understand that committing a crime is not worth it because they may get caught,” Arvelin says.

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Penkkarit truck parades require public event notification to the police

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:44:00 GMT

Final-year upper secondary school students in Finland celebrate penkkarit, their last day of school before matriculation exams, in the first half of February. For many, the highlight of penkkarit is the slow drive through city centres on the back of a truck.

Penkkarit truck parades are public events, which require special traffic arrangements. By law, notification of such events must be made to the local police at least five (5) days before the event.

In larger towns and cities, penkkarit attract large crowds along roadsides. There may also be dozens or hundreds of final-year upper secondary school students on the backs of trucks. Such large-scale events may also require an emergency plan. This must be submitted to the local rescue authority for approval no later than 14 days before the start of the event.

Penkkarit truck drivers must have at least two years’ truck-driving experience

In addition, the police remind people that trucks with no seats or benches at the back of them may be used temporarily for the transport of passengers related to penkkarit festivities and other similar events, provided that the driver of the vehicle has at least two years’ of truck-driving experience in the service of another party or as a licensed transport operator.

Trucks are also subject to other requirements. The bedsides of the back of the truck must be at least 120 cm high on all sides. The truck bed must also be free of snow and ice and not be slippery. Nor must there be objects, equipment or structures in the back of the truck that could endanger passenger safety.

Letter of recommendation and more detailed instructions

The National Steering Group for Public Events published a letter of recommendation for penkkarit truck parades on 18 December 2025. The local police or contact person in the locality where the event is to take place can provide more detailed information.

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Webinar: Licences under the new Gambling Act

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:09:00 GMT

Date: Thursday 29 January 2026 at 9.30−11.00 EET

Place: Participation in the event is by Teams only. The event is not recorded.

The event will review the reform of the Gambling Act, what is involved and what gaming companies need to know in order to operate in Finland. In addition to the act, the focus will be on applying for a licence and related technical issues. Gambling harm will be discussed especially from the perspective of the responsibility of gambling operators.

The event will feature speakers from experts from the National Police Board's Lottery Administration, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

The event is aimed at gambling operators, actors providing services related to gambling harm, and their representatives. Separate events for other stakeholders and the media will be held in 2026.

Registration for the event

Registration is required to participate in the event. We ask representatives of gambling operators and actors providing services related to gambling harm to register by 26 January 2026 in Webropol via this link (in Finnish/Swedish).

The Teams link will be sent to registered participants 1−2 days before the webinar.

The event will be held in Finnish. When registering, it is possible to submit advance questions in English. These questions will be answered during the webinar.

Streaming or recording the event is not allowed.

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Fitburg Vessel to move to international waters under Border Guard's control

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:21:00 GMT

The operation led by the Helsinki Police will end once the Fitburg vessel has left Kantvik harbour. After that the authorities will continue their normal duties and release information about their respective areas of responsibility themselves.

– The Finnish and Estonian police have completed their work on board the vessel, and the seizure can therefore be lifted. Yesterday, Sunday, January 11, the Helsinki District Court remanded a crew member of a ship named Fitburg in custody pending retrial. Some of the ship's crew remain under a travel ban, says Tactical Leader of the investigation, Risto Lohi, from the National Bureau of Investigation.

The Border Guard monitored the departure of the Fitburg from Finnish territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone.

The Border Guard took immediate action to investigate possible damage to critical infrastructure. The Finnish Coast Guard patrol vessel Turva assisted the National Bureau of Investigation with underwater investigations in the Gulf of Finland and mapped the anchor drag trail over a distance of several tens of kilometers.

Other key actors during the operation include Finnish Customs and the Finnish Transport and Communications Services (Traficom). Customs carried out sanctions-related monitoring by inspecting the ship's cargo and conducted a preliminary investigation into the suspected sanctions violation. Traficom carried out a port state control inspection of the vessel outside the normal inspection interval on the basis of suspicions related to damage to a submarine cable.

– The Finnish authorities took swift action and prevented any further damage from occurring in the Gulf of Finland. Authorities have the capacity to respond to cable damage and other similar situations and work together seamlessly, says Police Chief Jari Liukku of the Helsinki Police Department.

The Fitburg vessel is suspected of causing damage to Elisa's submarine cable on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025. The damage occurred in Estonia's exclusive economic zone.

The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter in cooperation with the Estonian National Police. In Finland, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Criminal offences may change as the investigation progresses.

The Finnish authorities took control of the ship in a joint operation and prevented further damage. The Border Guard and the Defence Forces have provided significant assistance to the police at sea and in the air throughout the operation.

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Helsinki Police Department warns children and their parents about dangerous social media challenges

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:03:00 GMT

The Helsinki Police Department considers participation in dangerous challenges an alarming trend. Engaging in these challenges can be extremely dangerous for children and young people.

Children and young people should not engage in dangerous challenges, nor should they encourage others to do so. Parents have a responsibility to address this issue with their minor children.

The Helsinki Police Department does not provide address-specific information regarding emergency calls.

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The nuoretjarikollisuus.fi website has been moved to the poliisi.fi website

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 07:56:00 GMT

The website for young people, developed in co-operation with the police and the Ministry of the Interior, has been moved in its entirety to the police website at poliisi.fi/nuoret-ja-rikollisuus. The previous address nuoretjarikollisuus.fi also automatically redirects the user to the new website in Finnish.

Youths and crime is a website aimed at children and young people aged 12 to 18. It contains information about crimes faced by children and young people, tests that can be used to better understand when the criteria of a crime are met, and advice on what to do if you have encountered a crime.

In connection with the transfer, the overall website has been updated and more content has been created. Especially the section “Information about crimes” contains a lot of new material and tests. The transfer of the site made it possible that now all materials are also available in English. Even though there is already much material on the website, new content will also be added.

“It has been good to hear that this package, which tells about crimes, where to get help or what to do, aimed at young people, has found its place, and that the pages are even used for educational purposes. We hope that more and more people will find their way to the information. As an example, parents and custodians can discuss these topics together with young people by means of the website,” says Chief Superintendent Miia Lehtinen of the National Police Board.

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The Fitburg Vessel Seized by the National Bureau of Investigation

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:35:00 GMT

The decision to seize the vessel was made to secure the measures necessary for the criminal investigation. The seizure took place today, 7 January, at 08:00 AM. For the purposes of the investigation, forensic examinations are being conducted on the vessel, and the crew members are being interviewed, making the seizure essential at this stage.

Prior to this, the vessel’s cargo, consisting of steel products, was under administrative detention by Customs while it carried out a preliminary inquiry into whether the crew should be suspected of committing an aggravated sanction offence. For more information, please refer to the Customs press release.

At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. One crew member has been placed in pre-trial detention, and a travel ban has been imposed on three other individuals.
The Fitburg vessel is suspected of, among other things, damaging a subsea telecommunications cable owned by Elisa in the Gulf of Finland. The vessel was stopped and instructed to move to Finnish territorial waters to clarify the situation. Finnish and Estonian authorities have established a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for the criminal investigation.

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Criminal Investigation into the Fitburg Vessel to Continue for Weeks

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:52:00 GMT

The police continue the investigation into the damage caused to Elisa’s telecommunications cable, using forensic and tactical methods as usual. At this stage, the gathering and analysis of information is still ongoing. Information has been collected from various sources, including other authorities, the cable damage site, the Fitburg cargo vessel, and the crew members' communication devices.

It has been just under a week since the cable was damaged, and the investigation is progressing step by step. The investigation will continue in the usual manner, and the police will provide updates once more certain information about the course of events is available.

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Maritime Investigations in the Gulf of Finland Continue

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The National Bureau of Investigation has been working closely with other authorities to advance the criminal investigation. Today, on 04 January, the Helsinki District Court ordered a crew member of the vessel Fitburg to be placed in pre-trial detention. At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. The interviews of the crew members are progressing as planned.

─ The technical and tactical investigation of the case is progressing with the involvement of several authorities. At the core of the investigation is the assessment of intent and the information influencing it. There have been incidents in the Gulf of Finland in recent years, and this case proves that both national and international cooperation between authorities functions seamlessly, says Tactical Leader of investigation Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Maritime Investigations Conducted in Cooperation with Estonian Authorities

The police, supported by the Border Guard and the Defence Forces, have conducted maritime investigations. Estonian authorities have participated in the investigative efforts on site. The Joint Investigation Team will continue the investigations throughout the weekend.

Subsea examinations have focused on, among other things, drag marks found on the seabed, which appear to align with the vessel's route. Based on the examinations conducted so far, there is reason to suspect that the anchor and anchor chain of the Fitburg vessel have dragged along the seabed for at least several tens of kilometres before reaching the point of damage to the telecommunications cable owned by Elisa.

To ensure the continuation of the investigative actions, the joint operation of the authorities will proceed. The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation, supported by the Border Guard. The National Bureau of Investigation is responsible for the criminal investigation into the case.

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The Police Request that a Crew Member of the Fitburg Cargo Vessel Be Subjected to Pre-Trial Detention

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 12:04:00 GMT

A travel ban has been imposed on one the two crew members of the Fitburg vessel who had previously been arrested. The crew member in question is a Russian national. The vessel has a total of 14 crew members on board, and currently, a travel ban has been imposed on three of them.

The other crew member previously arrested is a national of Azerbaijan, and the police will request his pre-trial detention today, 03 January. For the purposes relating to the criminal investigation, it is not possible to provide further details regarding their rank. In the course of the investigation, the leaders of the investigation continually assess the necessity, sufficiency, and comprehensiveness of the coercive measures taken.

The analysis of the material collected from the vessel is expected to take several weeks. Investigative actions on board the vessel continue.

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Police Have Interviewed Crew Members of the Fitburg Vessel

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:39:00 GMT

The police have made progress in the criminal investigative actions concerning the damage to the telecommunications cable owned by Elisa. The damage to the cable is suspected to have been caused by a vessel named Fitburg, which has a crew of 14 members on board. The police have arrested two individuals and two other persons have been subjected to a travel ban. They were interviewed on Thursday, and the interviews continue on Friday, 02 January.

- The interviews have clarified the course of events and the different roles of the crew members, says the Tactical Leader, Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Criminal offences may change as the investigation progresses.

The National Bureau of Investigation has setup a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with Estonia. The Joint Investigation Team enables seamless cooperation with the Estonian authorities.

The police have continued the crime scene investigation on the seabed near the damaged cable, in cooperation with other authorities. The Border Guard’s patrol vessel Turva is leading the operational activities of the subsea crime scene investigation in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation. The investigation makes use of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard's diverse underwater equipment, including submersible robots, side-scan sonar, and multi-beam echo sounders The Defence Forces are also providing assistance in the investigation of the cable damage.

Port State Control Inspection of the Vessel by Traficom Completed

The actions conducted aboard the vessel as part of the port state control inspection initiated by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) on Wednesday, 31 December, were completed on 01 January 2026. The inspection ensured that the vessel meets the requirements of the relevant international conventions.

- The vessel is in normal condition for its age. During the inspection, we tested equipment and assessed the condition and compliance of the vessel's spaces, equipment, supplies, and systems. We also monitored the safety drill conducted by the vessel's crew," says Sanna Sonninen, Maritime Director at Traficom.

The number of deficiencies observed is typical for the vessel’s age, and the deficiencies are of a minor nature No deficiencies were found that would jeopardise safety. The report on the results of the port state control inspection will be completed next week.

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Investigation Related to Vessel Fitburg Continues

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:58:00 GMT

The vessel Fitburg, suspected of being involved in the cable damage incident in the Gulf of Finland, was escorted by authorities to Kantvik harbour on 31 December at approximately 17:00.

Responsibility for the criminal investigation has been transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation, and at this stage, the incident is being investigated on suspicion of aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

– Investigative actions have been carried out on the vessel, including the collection of material, and analysis has begun. The examination of the anchor on the ship has also started, and any potential damages are being investigated. Crew member questioning was initiated immediately on Wednesday evening, and formal interviews will begin today, Thursday, says the Tactical Leader, Senior Detective Inspector Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The police have arrested two individuals and two other persons have been subjected to a travel ban. At this stage of the investigation, it is not possible to provide further details regarding their nationalities or their ranks.

The police continue to take necessary investigative measures on board the vessel. The investigative actions on the vessel have proceeded smoothly in close cooperation with the crew on board.

The authorities have also initiated a subsea crime scene investigation in the area surrounding the damaged cable. The Border Guard and the Defence Forces are providing support to the police investigation.

No-Fly Zone Is in Place in the Area

A temporary no-fly zone has been put in place over Kantvik harbour. The current no-fly zones should always be checked on the website www.Flyk.com.

The authorities have temporarily restricted access to the area for outsiders in order to secure the enforcement of official measures, until the necessary actions have been completed.

Port State Control Inspection of the Vessel by Traficom Underway

The Port State Control inspection of the vessel, initiated by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom on Wednesday, is continuing today, Thursday. The inspection will ensure that the vessel meets the requirements of the relevant international conventions.

– The vessel's inspection is being carried out in accordance with the requirements of the police investigation, and the inspection has progressed in good cooperation with the crew. We are satisfied with the progress of the inspection, says Sanna Sonninen, Director of Maritime Affairs at Traficom.

Traficom will provide information on the results of the inspection later, once the inspection has been completed.

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Cargo Vessel Fitburg has been moved to a Safe Place

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:01:00 GMT

In the field operation led by the Helsinki Police Department, helicopters from the Border Guard and the Finnish Defence Forces were deployed. The police rapid response unit Karhu and the Border Guard's tactical team fast-roped down to the vessel's deck from helicopters. The vessel has been taken into custody in a law enforcement cooperation operation led by the police.

─ This maritime operation once again demonstrated the police and other authorities' excellent readiness to provide a timely response and work seamlessly together within their respective areas of responsibility, says National Police Commisioner Ilkka Koskimäki.

The vessel in question is the cargo ship Fitburg, sailing under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with 14 crew members on board. They are nationals of Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

─ In addition to launching this strong inter-agency cooperation process, we immediately dispatched a Border Guard helicopter and the patrol vessel Turva to sea and began locating potential suspects who could have caused the damage in the maritime area," says Commander Mikko Simola of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard.

The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation and conducting criminal investigation in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation.

The police have been in contact with the National Prosecutor's Office, and the Prosecutor General has issued a prosecution order in the case. At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

Intensive international cooperation and information sharing are being conducted with the Estonian authorities, in particular to resolve the case.

The police are investigating the incident in cooperation with several national and international authorities, and further information will be provided as soon as possible.

Traficom will Initiate a Port State Control Inspection on the Vessel

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom will commence a port state control inspection on the vessel today, 31 December. The inspection will ensure that the vessel meets the requirements of the relevant international conventions. The vessel inspection is a standard procedure for authorities.

─ The inspection will be conducted in a way that does not disrupt the police operation or investigation, says Sanna Sonninen, Director of Maritime Affairs at Traficom.

Customs will carry out an inspection of the Fitburg vessel to check for any goods that may violate sanctions or regulations.

─ Customs will assess the conditions for the vessel's cargo import and, if necessary, initiate a preliminary investigation based on its findings, says Sami Rakshit, Director General of Customs.

Traficom: Telecommunications Connections from Finland Are Functioning Normally

The severing of submarine cables has not affected the functionality of Finland's communication services.

Finland's telecommunications connections to the world and within the country are secured and supported through multiple means. Internet usage is not dependent on a single cable. If disruptions occur in one connection, internet traffic is automatically rerouted to backup connections.

Various sectors of society have prepared for situations like cable damage, and regular drills are conducted. Connections can be disrupted for various reasons, such as equipment failures or natural phenomena. Preparedness and close cooperation between different sectors of society are long-standing and standard procedures in Finland.

Update 20:50: At the time of publication, the ship had already been moved to a safe location.

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Police Investigate Cable Damage in the Gulf of Finland in Cooperation with Other Authorities

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:56:00 GMT

Telecommunications provider Elisa detected a fault in the company’s telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn early in the morning on 31 December 2025. Elisa reported the issue to the Border Guard's Operations Centre. Under the leadership of the Border Guard, an immediate investigation was initiated into the damage to the underwater critical infrastructure.

The Border Guard located a vessel suspected of being responsible for the damage to the cable. The damage site reported by Elisa was within Estonia's exclusive economic zone. The Border Guard's patrol vessel Turva and helicopter found the suspected vessel within Finland's exclusive economic zone. The vessel's anchor chain was found to be lowered into the sea. The Border Guard instructed the vessel to stop and raise the anchor. The Border Guard also requested that the vessel move to a safe anchorage within Finnish territorial waters.

Finnish authorities have taken control of the vessel as part of a joint operation. Responsibility for leading the investigation has been transferred from the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard to the Helsinki Police Department.
The police have been in contact with the National Prosecutor's Office, and the Prosecutor General has issued a prosecution order. At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

The police are investigating the incident in cooperation with several national and international authorities, and further information will be provided as soon as possible.

The operation involves, in addition to the police and the Border Guard, the Finnish Defence Forces, Customs, Traficom, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), and Finngrid.

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Helsinki Police is maintaining public order and safety in Helsinki on New Year’s Eve

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:10:00 GMT

Helsinki Police Department is maintaining public order and safety in Helsinki city centre on 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

The police will focus on Helsinki New Year celebrations at Kansalaistori and enforcing the ban on fireworks.

In general, lighting fireworks is allowed from 6 p.m. on 31 December until 2 a.m. on 1 January.

The police remind everyone to use fireworks responsibly. The police also make a particular appeal to parents.

Giving fireworks to minors is not allowed. An adult is always responsible for their fireworks. Any fireworks and explosives possessed by minors will always be confiscated. It is now mandatory to use safety goggles when lighting fireworks.

In addition, the police remind everyone that alcohol can be possessed and consumed only by people over the age of 18. Parents are responsible for making sure their children and young people celebrate the New Year safely.

One major focus of surveillance is to combat substance abuse problems and crime against children and young people, as well as crimes committed by young people.

"Parents are responsible for ensuring that children and young people celebrate safely. The police encourage people to report disturbances and crimes targeting young people in particular to the emergency number, as these do not always come to the attention of the police", reminds Chief Inspector Harri Kopra.

Additional information:

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The police will continue school co-operation also in 2026

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:25:00 GMT

Police departments have considered the co-operation model necessary, and the feedback from schools has been positive. The personnel resources allocated to the school co-operation efforts have been actively used by different police departments. Schools and the police have clear instructions on how to keep in touch so that help can be found at the right time and in the right place. The feedback received from citizens emphasises the strengthening of the visibility and accessibility of the police and the security of schools. The efforts are considered as valuable, and even more corresponding efforts are hoped for in the future.

All schools are offered the opportunity to participate in online lessons implemented by the police, which deal with topics of interest to young people and related to everyday life. About 425,000 schoolchildren were reached during the lessons in 2025. Something new is coming up for next year in terms of these lessons! Moreover, the police will produce content for teachers, custodians and young people on social media channels next year as well. So, follow the social media profiles of the Koulu25 group!

Police patrols continue to be actively present in schools, educational institutions and daycare centres

Police patrols visiting schools have been well received, and it is considered that the visits increase security. The police have also considered it meaningful to meet and reach young people in this way.

“It is important to meet young people face to face – it increases trust and strengthens the sense of security. The long-term goal is to reduce prejudice against the police and prevent disruptive behaviour at school and in leisure time. By the middle of November 2025, the police had visited daycare centres, schools and other educational institutions on approximately 4,700 occasions,” says Assistant Police Commissioner Pasi Rissanen of the National Police Board.

Co-operation between the police and schools has become closer through the nation-wide operating model of the police. The feedback from schools has been positive:

“The presence of the police is considered to be valuable and desirable. The co-operation has reduced the number of unnecessary police reports and lowered the threshold for asking for advice. The school consultation help line in particular has become a key tool for providing quick help in situations and getting a better overall idea of the situation at hand,” says Pasi Rissanen and adds:

“This year, the police have registered more than 2,300 police reports related to the co-operation between the police and schools. Most of these are assaults. School should and must be a safe place for everyone!”

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Police forces in the Helsinki metropolitan area work closely together to improve the security situation

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The numbers of police call-outs and crimes in the Helsinki metropolitan area have clearly increased over the past year. The increased use of drugs is reflected in a significant increase in disorder. The number of police assignments rose by 14% in Helsinki and Eastern Uusimaa and by 6% in Western Uusimaa compared to the same period last year.

“The three large cities form a fairly coherent area in terms of their operating environment. The same phenomena occur across the municipal boundaries and affect us all. Demand for police services has increased across every police unit, including call-outs, surveillance, criminal investigations and licensing services. We have worked together operationally on a broad front, and the importance of cooperation will only increase in the future. Flexible and effective cooperation is one of our strengths, and it guarantees a safe urban environment for residents," say Police Chiefs Jari Liukku of the Helsinki Police Department, Marko Viitanen of the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department, and Timo Saarinen of the Western Uusimaa Police Department.

According to the Helsinki safety survey published in the summer, many people feel unsafe, for example, on weekend nights in the city centre and in the evenings on commuter trains and the metro. There is a strong connection between a perceived lack of safety on weekend evenings and witnessing violence and drugs in the local area. Increases in the use of drugs and the disorder caused by drug use are a common challenge for the whole metropolitan area.

The mayors of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa met with the chiefs of police in August to launch a collaborative effort across the region to tackle the drug situation. The police departments have responded to the situation by ramping up the numbers of visible patrols and missions on police initiative. The number of foot patrols has doubled in Helsinki and almost tripled in Western Uusimaa since last year. The number has increased by 40% in Eastern Uusimaa.

Joint surveillance on December weekends

On weekends in December, the police departments will conduct joint surveillance focusing on shopping centres and public transport in Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo, as well as public transport stations with particularly visible issues of substance abuse. Most disturbances occur along the railway line.

One major focus of joint surveillance is to combat substance abuse problems and crime against children and young people, as well as crimes committed by young people. Stakeholders will be closely involved in this surveillance. Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen, who heads surveillance activities at the Helsinki Police Department, says the cooperation will strengthen joint situational awareness among the police departments.

“With the three police departments working more closely together, we will be able to target surveillance activities and allocate police resources precisely where there is heightened perception of disorder and lack of safety. Visible foot patrols are a key tool. Surveillance will target areas where there are many young people," says Kiiskinen.

Video surveillance also has a role to play. Visible surveillance activities aim to increase citizens’ sense of safety and security in public areas.

“Passengers do appreciate the fact that safety is a priority in public transport. The presence of police and security guards enhances the feeling of security,” says Juhana Hietaranta, Head of Safety and Security at Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd.

Difficulties at shopping centres – substance abusers in worse shape than before

Shoplifting has become more commonplace across the entire Helsinki metropolitan area compared to last year, but the increase has been particularly sharp in Helsinki. By the end of November, the Helsinki Police Department had recorded 53% more petty thefts than in the same period last year (19,493 petty thefts in total, up by 6,780 from last year). In Eastern and Western Uusimaa, the increases have been 11% and 12% respectively.

Päivi Salonen, CEO of the Mall of Tripla, says the change has been dramatic over the past couple of years.

“There has been a worrying increase in the number of shoplifting and substance-abuse incidents across the retail sector and we are monitoring the situation closely. We have already taken steps to improve security and to work more closely with the authorities. The number of substance abusers may not have risen, but they are now in poorer health and behave more erratically. Various problems have piled up, and the range of means available to address the situation should be broad and based on cooperation between different parties,” Salonen says.

“In Helsinki, there is a group of about 50 shoplifters with a high crime rate. The cases of these perpetrators are bundled together, and charges are considered as a whole. This leads to a harsher punishment than for individual cases. About 10 members of the group can be considered highly prolific offenders. An agreement has been reached with the prosecutor to treat their offences as thefts,” says Senior Detective Superintendent Jari Illukka of the Helsinki Police Department.

A business restraining order would be one way to protect businesses and their staff from future disruptions. The government is expected to propose such a measure during 2026.

Young people need safe adults around them

There have now been two weekends of intensified joint surveillance. It has been carried out especially in places frequented by young people. The places where young people meet vary, but in winter they mainly gather in the shopping centres near the railway. Young people have praised the presence of the police.

“The message from young people is that they appreciate having safe adults around. During these initial weekends of surveillance, several situations could have escalated if we or the youth workers had not been there," says Kiiskinen.

The number of crimes committed by underage youths in Eastern Uusimaa is decreasing. In West Uusimaa, the number of robberies committed by minors has decreased, but assaults and crimes against life and health have increased.

The Helsinki police reported in August that the number of crimes committed by under-18s had decreased compared to last year, and the trend was particularly positive for robberies. The police, together with the City of Helsinki and the third sector, had succeeded in breaking the criminal cycle of young people.

“Now, the statistics for Helsinki have turned less favourable. After schools restarted in August, robberies and assaults by youth gangs, mainly composed of young people with an immigrant background, began in areas such as Alppipuisto and Malmi. A single victim could be attacked by up to ten people, and some of the attacks involved humiliation and video recordings. The investigations include aggravated robberies and aggravated assaults. The criminal case has about 40 suspects, mostly aged between 14 and 18,” says Detective Chief Superintendent Markku Heinikari at the Helsinki Police Department.

Drugs are also a daily occurrence in traffic

The Helsinki metropolitan area’s police departments also work closely on traffic enforcement. This is part of the basic work of every police officer in the field. The main risk factors in road accidents resulting in death or serious injury are speeding and substance abuse.

In the past year, the police have significantly increased the number of breathalyser and drug-screening tests throughout the Helsinki metropolitan area.

“This year, we will conduct breath tests on more than 200,000 drivers. This is 41% more than last year, says Chief Inspector Aapo Isoaho of Western Uusimaa police.

Enforcement work in which the police monitor people’s driving capabilities holistically has paid off. The number of offences of driving while intoxicated has increased by around 8%. Narcotics are now involved in a larger share of incidents of driving while intoxicated, and already half of such offences are caused by substances other than alcohol. Amphetamines are still the most important substances in cases of people driving while under the influence of narcotics, although cocaine and the increased use of alpha-PVP are also evident, especially in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

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Changes to the payment of fines, traffic penalty fees and other sanctions

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:14:00 GMT

As a result of the legislative amendment that will enter into force in Finland at the beginning of 2026, a fixed payment period will be removed from fines, traffic penalty fees and other sanctions imposed by the police. Moreover, all sanctions will be enforceable only when they are legally valid. From the point of view of the person who is sanctioned, this means that the obligation to pay does not begin until the fine or other sanction becomes legally valid.

The amendments to the Act on the Enforcement of a Fine and to the Act on the Imposition of a Fine and Petty Fine will enter into force on 1 January 2026. There will be changes to the payment and enforcement of fines, traffic penalty fees and other pecuniary sanctions, to the application of the fine procedure and to the monetary amount of crime victim surcharges.

The most visible change for a customer of administration is that the fine slip or any other decision document no longer contains a due date. This may seem confusing at first, because up to now the law has stipulated, among other things, that a fine or traffic penalty fee must be paid within 30 days of service.

From the beginning of 2026, the obligation to pay depends on whether the sanction is legally valid or not. The legal validity of a fine or other sanction refers to the final nature of the decision.

“A fine or other sanction becomes legally valid when a claim for its rectification or an appeal against it can no longer be made. If no appeal or claim for rectification is lodged against the sanction, it will become legally valid after the expiry of the appeal or rectification period, in other words 30 days after the decision was served,” says Chief Superintendent Konsta Arvelin of the National Police Board.

A fine can be paid right away

A fine, traffic penalty fee or other sanction can in practice be paid immediately after it has been served. However, the actual obligation to pay does not begin until the sanction becomes legally valid and the Legal Register Centre begins enforcement. If the sanction has not been paid in full by then, the Legal Register Centre will send a payment reminder for the amount that has not yet been paid, also indicating the due date.

“All pecuniary sanctions imposed by the police include instructions that provide more detailed information on payment, enforcement and appeal. Customers of administration should read the instructions they receive carefully and act according to them,” Konsta Arvelin points out.

In the future, the crime victim surcharge will be 60 euros

In addition to these changes, the amounts of crime victim surcharges will be increased. A crime victim surcharge is added to the fine if the most severe punishment for the offence is imprisonment. The purpose of crime victim surcharges is to secure the availability of the necessary support services for victims of crime. The amount of the crime victim surcharge imposed in the fine procedure is 60 euros if the offence was committed on 1 January 2026 or after it, but it is 40 euros if the offence was committed before the beginning of 2026.

Penal orders are abandoned

The conditions for the fine procedure will also be amended by removing the type of fine known as penal order. The use of the fine procedure always requires the consent of both the injured party and the suspect of the crime. Earlier, a suspect who refused the fine procedure may have been given a penal order, which the suspect could pay to give their consent retrospectively. As a result of this, it was possible to complete the case in the fine procedure without a court hearing.

“If the suspect does not consent to the fine procedure, the fine case will now be transferred immediately to the pre-trial investigation, which will be carried out by the police to the extent required by the consideration of charges,” Konsta Arvelin says.

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The use of alpha-PVP can be seen in road traffic

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:53:00 GMT

A total of 4,200 cases of driving while intoxicated were recorded between June and August. The share of driving under the influence of narcotics was approximately 32 per cent during the summer months. In October, narcotics cases accounted for 40 per cent of suspected cases of driving while intoxicated. The differences between different months are not great, but in the summer months, driving while under the influence of alcohol is more commonplace than at other times.

One hundred drivers drove under the influence of alpha-PVP

Based on queries made from the information systems of the police, in June to August last summer the police encountered more than 100 suspected offences of driving while intoxicated, which also included a suspicion of driving a vehicle under the influence of alpha-PVP. In most cases, however, alpha-PVP was not the only drug used by the driver of the vehicle.

In cases of driving while intoxicated related to alpha-PVP, the suspect is usually a male. In terms of age, the suspects represented a wide age range, from young people in their twenties to those almost 70 years of age. The average age was about 35 years. Drug addiction is not associated to issues such as any specific level of education, but a weak social status and a low level of education can be seen among those caught driving a vehicle under the influence of alpha-PVP. Moreover, as many as 85 per cent of drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated or seriously intoxicated during the summer with verified alpha-PVP in their blood did not have a valid driving licence.

The police supervise, refer users to substance abuse treatment and uncover drug crime

In addition to monitoring drug users occurring in traffic, the police also refer drug users to substance abuse treatment. Getting help for those suffering from drug addiction is in the interest of all of us.

The police endeavour to prevent the disadvantages and insecurity caused by alpha-PVP. In the summer, the police uncovered a major operation to manufacture and distribute alpha-PVP in Finland. Uncovering drug crime is one of the key ways of the police to prevent the harm caused by drugs in society.

There has been a continuous drug problem in Finland for years, and alpha-PVP is just the tip of the iceberg. It just makes the drug problem visible. There is no single solution to the problems caused by the drug. There is a need for multifaceted solutions, better exchange of information, legislative solutions, better services and changes in attitudes in society. It is also a question of attitudes; we need more understanding of the dangers of drugs. There is a great need for preventive work aimed at young people in particular, in an era when attitudes towards drugs have become more positive in Finland and internationally.

Read the blog by Analyst Mika Sutela and Assistant Police Commissioner Pasi Rissanen: The use of alpha-PVP can also be seen in road traffic

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Eastern Flank Summit will cause exceptions to traffic arrangements in Helsinki

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The Police are responsible for the safety and security of the Summit and the related traffic arrangements.

The Summit may require temporary traffic arrangements and short traffic delays mostly in Helsinki. The Police will ensure the safety of the Summit and direct traffic if necessary.

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Police Suspect Homicide in Konala

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:55:00 GMT

Upon arrival, officers found a man in the apartment who later died from his injuries. Another man, also injured, was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Following a brief pursuit, several individuals were apprehended. At this stage of the preliminary investigation, they are suspected of being involved in the incident.

"The police are investigating the case as a homicide and attempted homicide involving a firearm. Further information regarding the case will be released as soon as it is deemed appropriate", says Detective Chief Inspector Tuomas Lindholm, who is leading the inquiry.

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Public holidays at Christmas and the new year influence the customer service of the police in Western Uusimaa

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:29:00 GMT

Police service hours

Police services include, among other things, the reception of crime reports, and lost property. Please note that if you have been summoned to an interrogation, you must also arrive for it outside opening hours, at the date and time indicated in the summons.

22 to 26 December 2025

Espoo Main Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 8.00 to 16.15, closed from Wednesday to Friday
Lohja Police Station: open on Monday 9.00 to 11.30 and 12.30 to 16.15, closed from Tuesday to Friday
Kirkkonummi Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.00, closed from Wednesday to Friday
Raseborg Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 9.00 to 16.15, closed from Wednesday to Friday

29 December 2025 to 2 January 2026

Espoo Main Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 8.00 to 16.15, closed on Thursday
Lohja Police Station: open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.00 to 11.30 and 12.30 to 16.15, closed on Tuesday and Thursday
Kirkkonummi Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.00, closed on Thursday
Raseborg Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 9.00 to 16.15, closed on Thursday

All customer service points will be closed on Epiphany 6 January 2026.

Permit service hours

Permit services include identity card, passport and private security sector permit matters as well as firearms application matters. Permit services also process announcements of public events, lottery permits and small-scale money collection notices.

22 to 26 December 2025

Espoo Main Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 8.00 to 16.15, closed from Wednesday to Friday
Lohja Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 9.00 to 16.15, closed from Wednesday to Friday
Kirkkonummi Police Station: permit service closed from 22 December 2025 to 7 January 2026
Raseborg Police Station: open from Monday to Tuesday 9.00 to 16.15, closed from Wednesday to Friday

29 December 2025 to 2 January 2026

Espoo Main Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 8.00 to 16.15, closed on Thursday
Lohja Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 9.00 to 16.15, closed on Thursday
Kirkkonummi Police Station: permit service closed from 22 December 2025 to 7 January 2026
Raseborg Police Station: open from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday 9.00 to 16.15, closed on Thursday

All customer service points will be closed on Epiphany 6 January 2026.

Firearm presentation is open from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 to customers who have made an advance appointment, as follows:

Espoo Main Police Station: open on Tuesday 23 December 2025 and Tuesday 30 December 2025 from 9.00 to 11.00 and from 12.00 to 16.00. Closed on Epiphany 6 January 2026.
Lohja Police Station: open on Wednesday 31 December 2025 from 9.00 to 11.00 and from 12.00 to 16.00.
Raseborg Police Station: closed.

It is always recommended to start the application process online

Online services of the police will be available as usual during the Christmas period. Most police application matters can be started online, and the online service of the police informs the customer if it is necessary to visit a police station in person.

If the online service indicates that an identification visit is required, it is advisable to make an advance appointment for the visit.

– At Lohja and Raseborg Police Stations, you can get an appointment almost for the next weekday, and in Espoo in less than two weeks, says Erika Karjaluoto, Chief of Licence Services.

An identification card and passport will be ready in the normal delivery time, in other words within about eight work days after the order has been processed

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The Gaming Police project has been awarded the Recognition for Act of Dialogue in Finland

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:25:00 GMT

The joint Gaming Police project of the Police University College, Ostrobothnia Police Department, and Häme Police Department develops new multi-professional activities to prevent and combat harmful activities and crime targeting children in the digital gaming world. The initiative will soon be launched in Åland as well. The aim of the Gaming Police project is to improve police availability and accessibility and operational capability on gaming platforms and discussion forums, and to offer help to risk groups and crime victims. The project focuses particularly on sexual violence targeting children, cybercrime, and violent radicalization and extremism. The gaming activities also aim to prevent and combat hate crime.

"In the Gaming Police project, we are doing something completely new that has never been done in Finland before: the police are present in the virtual gaming world, ‘patrolling’ among children and young people. The credit goes especially to the police officers who have carried out practical work in the virtual gaming environment. Thanks also to all our partners in social and health services, youth work, the third sector, and internationally," says Pirjo Jukarainen, Project Manager at the Police University College.
The justification for the recognition states that the Timeout Foundation values the police’s interactive and long-term work in gaming communities and platforms. According to the foundation, the police have long been pioneers on various social media platforms and other online communities. The Gaming Police operates on platforms where young people already are and enables discussions on even difficult topics.

"We organize weekly gaming events online. These events are not just about playing; we also address themes raised by children and young people or by police departments, such as traffic safety, glorification of criminal lifestyles, and gambling. In addition, we offer the opportunity to chat anonymously with the police. Once a month, the gaming event is multi-professional, allowing chat discussions with social and health care professionals and youth workers, who can provide help if needed," explains Sergeant Pasi Puumala, a gaming police officer.

"Children and young people spend most of their free time online. The police can reach thousands of young people in a short time through the internet. Operating on digital platforms has made it possible to establish contact with a low threshold and has built trust in the police. Young people have dared to share situations where, for example, they have been victims of crime or have been coerced into committing crimes", says Chief Superintendent Miia Lehtinen from the National Police Board.

This year, three actors received the Recognition for Act of Dialogue in Finland. The other awardees are SAMS, an interest organization for the Swedish nationwide disability organizations in Finland, and The Walkers concept by the Children of the Station organization. In addition, Alma Jokinen and Eetu Leinonen, the Youth Delegates of Finland for the EU, received an honorable mention.

Timeout Foundation’s news about the recognition

Information about the Gaming Police project

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Next year, the police will focus on crime prevention, especially crimes committed by young people and children

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:51:00 GMT

“The goal is to investigate crimes committed by young people and children in real time. We are determined to combat serious criminal phenomena and maintain a good level of successful investigation of crimes,” National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki said at the oath-taking ceremony of new police officers in Tampere on Thursday.

Combatting violent crime has been raised as one of the most important priorities of the Finnish police for the first time.

“Tackling violent crime is a major challenge in a changed operating environment where drugs are present everywhere, mental health problems are clearly visible and information networks serve as an enabler of growing violence.”

“At the same time, the ongoing wars and international organised crime and terrorism also affect the perpetrators of violence in different ways in Finland as well,” Ilkka Koskimäki stated.

The police do not tolerate misconduct

National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki emphasised to the new police officers taking the oath that it is the duty of the police to maintain order and security in co-operation with other authorities, communities and residents. The police must therefore be fair, courageous and always reliable in accordance with the values of the police.

“I expect all of you to understand the pledge you make in your oath that you will endeavour to behave to the best of your ability and skills at all times and in all situations in a manner appropriate to the dignity of a police officer.”

“At the same time, I would like to remind you that the police have absolute zero tolerance for any kind of misconduct,” he said.

Those who graduate as Bachelors of Police Services take the ethical oath of the police. Its purpose is that the new police officers are aware of and internalise the values and practices that are expected of the police in Finland.

The oath is received by the National Police Commissioner. Oath-taking ceremonies have been arranged since 2001.

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Independence Day parade routes in Helsinki

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:03:00 GMT

The police have been notified of several different demonstrations and events.

Preliminary route information for demonstrations and other event processions notified to the police in advance, as well as the times of departure reported by the organizers:

March for Finland starting at 12:00 a.m.: the Parliament Building – Arkadiankatu (along sidewalks) – Hietaniemi Cemetery.
Catholic procession starting at 12:00 a.m.: from St Mary’s Church to St Henry’s Cathedral
Fixit movement demonstration starting at 13:30 p.m.: Senate Square – Aleksanterinkatu – Mannerheimintie - the Parliament Building
Finland Awakens demonstration starting at 4:00 p.m.: Railway Square – Mikonkatu – Aleksanterinkatu – Mannerheimintie – the Parliament Building
Traditional torchlight procession by university students starting at 4:30 p.m., route from Hietaniemi Cemetery – Arkadiankatu – Pohjoisesplanadi – Presidentinlinna – Mariankatu – Aleksanterinkatu – Senate Square
Demonstration against the government’s austerity policy starting at 5:15 p.m Narinkkatori – Mannerheimintie – Esplanadinpuisto – The Market Square
612 torchlight procession starting at 6:30 p.m.: Töölö Square – Runeberginkatu – Pohjoinen Rautatienkatu – Mechelininkatu – Hietaniemi Cemetery

Changes to routes are possible. The latest updated information will be published on Poliisi.fi in a news item updated on Independence Day. The news item will be published on Saturday morning and updated in real time as the day progresses.

Police to monitor an expanded no-fly zone in Helsinki

The police remind all operators that they are required to comply with the flight restrictions in force. Further information and up-to-date no-fly zones are available at Droneinfo.fi and Flyk.com.

The restrictions do not apply to flights conducted by military, border guard, police, customs, maritime and aviation authorities, nor to rescue services, emergency medical services (EMS) or patient transport, or flights ordered by these authorities if their statutory duties require aviation in the area. The restrictions also do not apply to urgent medical helicopter flights or to flights required under international obligations binding on Finland.

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Power of attorney on paper no longer accepted at collection points as of 31 December 2025

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:11:00 GMT

In the future, a document delivery containing a passport or identity card can only be given to the addressee, to the addressee’s legal guardian or to another person who was authorised in the application process to collect the delivery.

For a passport, a person to collect the delivery can be authorised in the online application process or in person at a police station. For an identity card, a person to collect the delivery can be authorised only in person at a police station, not online. Authorisation is granted in connection with the identification visit related to the application. Only the person making the authorisation is required to visit in person, not the person being authorised.

This change is mainly due to peremptory EU legislation concerning the Citizen Certificate stored on the chip in the identity card. The use of a power of attorney on paper is being discontinued in the delivery of passports and identity cards because such documents are easy to forge. The procedure for authorisations to collect identity card is more stringent because of EU regulations concerning the Citizen Certificate.

However, passports and identity cards issued on or before 5 December 2025 can still be collected using a power of attorney on paper, but the accepting of power of attorney on paper at collection points will end completely on 31 December 2025.

Outage on the online service platform of the police on 5 December

Because of the IT system updates required by these changes, the online service platform of the police will be offline on 5 December 2025 from 16.00 to 20.00.

New name of passport and identity card distributor

Schenker Oy, the company that handles the delivery process in practice, has changed its name to DSV Road Oy due to corporate acquisition. The name change has absolutely no effect on the quality or security of passport and identity card deliveries.

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Police warn tourists of pickpockets at Christmas markets in Helsinki

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Over the weekend, Helsinki Police received reports of ten pickpocketing incidents at Christmas markets. The thefts occurred in the area around Senate Square and elsewhere in central Helsinki.

"Professional thieves have targeted Asian tourists. Hundreds of euros in cash were stolen from wallets, and unauthorized purchases or bank transfers were made using several credit cards. The suspects will be deported from Finland under the Aliens Act, as they are considered a threat to public order and safety," says Detective Superintendent Mikko Mikkinen.

How can you protect yourself from pickpockets?

Keep an eye on your wallet or bag. Make sure they are in a safe place.
Choose where to keep your wallet carefully. Keep your wallet in a pocket that is difficult to access.
Avoid storing valuables in back pockets and the outer pockets of your backpack, where it is easy to grab things.
Put your wallet in a safe place after shopping. Do not leave your wallet on top of other items.
If you see suspicious activity, call 112. Always remember to report a crime if something is stolen from you.

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Ari Karvonen to continue as Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:42:00 GMT

The National Police Board has appointed Ari Karvonen as Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department effective as of 1 March 2026.
Two people applied for the position. The post became vacant due to the expiry of the previous five-year term.
Karvonen has long-term and wide-ranging experience in various leadership positions. Karvonen has served as the Police Chief of the Southeastern Finland Police Department since April 2021. He has previously worked e.g. as Deputy Police Chief at the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department.

Police Chief heads the police department

The Police Chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration.

The Police Chief is responsible for:

the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
organising the police department's police services in its area
the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications

A police department is tasked with safeguarding legal and social order in its area of operation, maintaining public order and security, police emergency services, preventing crime and disturbances, investigating crimes and gathering evidence for the prosecutor for the consideration of charges, licence administration of the police and other duties belonging to the local police. In addition, a police department is responsible for providing assistance within its scope of responsibility as a general security authority and for other tasks specifically assigned to it.

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The visit of the Prime Minister of Sweden will cause exceptions to traffic arrangements in Helsinki and Espoo

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:10:00 GMT

The Police are responsible for the safety and security of the events and the related traffic arrangements.

The events of the visitors may require temporary traffic arrangements and short traffic delays mostly in Helsinki and in Espoo. The Police will ensure the safety of the events and direct traffic if necessary.

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The police will safeguard Independence Day celebrations in the capital together with other authorities

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:14:00 GMT

In addition to the traditional celebrations, several demonstrations will take place in Helsinki on Independence Day, 6 December 2025.

“Securing Independence Day events, demonstrations and public order in the capital is the largest annual operation of the Finnish Police. The Helsinki Police Department receives support from several police units as well as assistance by other authorities,” says Chief Superintendent Jere Roimu, Chief of Response and Control Division.

In addition to the police’s own vehicles, the area will include equipment and personnel from the Finnish Defence Forces and the Border Guard.

Independence Day events and processions will cause significant traffic disruption in central Helsinki.

The police recommend avoiding unnecessary private car use between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., especially in the areas around Senate Square, Kruununhaka, Katajanokka and Töölö. Traffic on Pohjoisesplanadi and Mariankatu will be restricted during the day and may be fully closed at times.

“The police will direct traffic as necessary throughout the inner city. The aim of the traffic arrangements is to minimise disruption, but travellers should reserve extra time when moving in the city centre on Independence Day evening,” Roimu says.

Up-to-date information on public transport diversions is available on HSL’s website at www.hsl.fi. The diversions will also affect passengers travelling via the Port of Helsinki’s South Harbour.

The police will publish continuous updates on Independence Day events and key traffic impacts in the news section of the police.fi website throughout the day.

Police to monitor an expanded no-fly zone in central Helsinki

Aviation in central Helsinki will be restricted between 8:00 a.m. on 6 December and 2:00 a.m. on 7 December. The restriction applies to both manned and unmanned aviation (drones). The temporary aviation restriction area has been established to ensure the safety of official aviation activities and public events.
The police remind all operators that they are required to comply with the flight restrictions in force. Further information and up-to-date no-fly zones are available at Droneinfo.fi and Flyk.com.

“Drones may not be flown in the Helsinki city centre area during Independence Day. The police will closely monitor the expanded no-fly zone. Violations will result in fines, and devices may be confiscated as instruments of an offence,” Roimu notes.

Traditional Independence Day events

Traditional Independence Day events:

Finnish Defence Forces’ wreath-laying ceremony at Hietaniemi Cemetery, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Ecumenical Independence Day service at Helsinki Cathedral, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Traditional torchlight procession by university students starting at 4:00 p.m., route from Hietaniemi Cemetery to Senate Square
The President of the Republic’s Independence Day Reception starting at 6:30 p.m.

Demonstrations reported to the police

Under the Assembly Act, the police must be notified of any public assembly or demonstration at least 24 hours before it begins.

The organiser, or a person designated by the organiser, acts as the liaison with the police before and during the demonstration. If necessary, they will negotiate with the police or intervene in the demonstration’s course. The organiser is responsible for ensuring that participants comply with the law and with arrangements agreed with the police.

The organiser is responsible for maintaining safety and public order at the assembly. The organiser may be held criminally liable if they fail to follow police orders or address observed safety threats.

Demonstrations notified to the police:

Catholic procession starting at 11:00 a.m., from St Mary’s Church to St Henry’s Cathedral
March for Finland starting at 11:00 a.m., from the Parliament Building to Hietaniemi Cemetery
Fixit movement demonstration starting at 2:00 p.m., from Senate Square to the Parliament Building
Finland Awakens demonstration starting at 3:00 p.m., from Railway Square to the Parliament Building
Demonstration against the government’s austerity policy starting at 5:00 p.m., route not yet agreed
612 torchlight procession starting at 5:00 p.m., from Töölö Square to Hietaniemi Cemetery

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The Finnish and Swedish police into increasingly closer co-operation in the Lapland and Norrbotten regions

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:46:00 GMT

The agreement gives the police the right to carry out urgent assignments in each other’s areas in six municipalities in Finland and four in Sweden. The training event in Luleå is arranged as a result of excellent co-operation between the various police units, with the trainers and content managers from the National Bureau of Investigation, Police University College, Western Uusimaa Police Department, Lapland Police Department, Oulu Centre of Command, and National Police Board of Finland. The Finnish and Swedish police are responsible for the actual mutual co-operation.

The training objective is to ensure that Swedish police will be able to operate independently in the territory of Finland. A Finnish police patrol may also operate reciprocally on the Swedish side of the border in situations specified in the agreement. The exercises and future co-operation will further promote co-operation and communication between the two countries.

Police officers can cross the national border upon request

According to the new agreement, Finnish and Swedish police officers may, upon request, cross the national border and take temporary measures in the territory of the other country. Police officers who cross the national border can work independently until the police officers of the host country, which has requested assistance, arrive at the scene. After that, they can assist the police officers of the host country under their direction.

The agreement also allows the police of a neighbouring country to cross the national border and to take action in the vicinity of the border even without the request of the other country in the case of an urgent assignment in which a person’s life, health or bodily integrity is compromised.In the future, it is therefore possible to see a Finnish police patrol in action near the northern border area of Finland on the Swedish side of the border.

The President of the Republic of Finland approved the agreement in May 2024. Its application will begin when the personnel has been provided with relevant training.

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Police suspect Romanian pandering organisation of criminal proceeds of up to one million euros

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:05:00 GMT

The Helsinki Police Department’s national human trafficking investigation team has completed an investigation into aggravated pandering involving a Romanian pandering organisation.

The five-member pandering organisation uncovered by the police has been operating for approximately two years.

The suspects were arrested in August in Turku and Oulu, and two additional suspects were arrested upon their arrival in Helsinki in October.

"The group of Romanian suspects consists of five individuals who are currently in custody and who had distinct roles and responsibilities within the organisation. The preliminary investigation has identified 14 persons involved in prostitution who offered sexual services in exchange for payment. The offenders took their share of the profits," says Senior Detective Superintendent Sami Isoniemi, who is leading the investigation.

In the offence of pandering, it is punishable to obtain financial gain for oneself or another person in connection with sexual intercourse or a comparable sexual act. The pandering organisation handled travel and accommodation arrangements for the persons exploited, as well as the management of advertisements for sexual services and customer communications.

Based on the preliminary investigation, the total value of sex-service sales over a period of just under two years was nearly one million euros, and the pandering organisation took more than 300,000 euros from the persons involved in prostitution.

In connection with the investigation, the police have seized a considerable amount of money suspected of being the proceeds of crime, as well as three vehicles used as instruments of crime.

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Applicants for the posts of Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:10:00 GMT

The post became vacant due to the expiry of the previous five-year term. The National Police Board will appoint the police chiefs for a maximum period of five years.

Applicants for the vacant post of Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department, which will become vacant on 1 March 2026 were:

Karvonen Ari
Marks Peter

Police Chief heads the police department

The Police Chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration.

The Police Chief is responsible for:

the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
organising the police department's police services in its area
the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications.

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Police suspect ethnic agitation due to an Instagram post

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:36:00 GMT

The police conducted a preliminary investigation, and based on this, the police will launch a criminal investigation.

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Sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department have increased by more than 50 percent in two years

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:03:00 GMT

The new legislation on sexual offences entered into force in 2023, changing the definitions and classifications of crimes. The changes were expected to increase the number of criminal cases. Therefore, direct comparisons can only be made from 2023 onwards.

"Sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department have continued to increase significantly even after the comprehensive reform of legislation on sexual offences. The new legislation on sexual offences brought new types of offences within the scope of criminal liability, which has certainly contributed to the increase in the number of sexual offenses," estimates Senior Detective Superintendent Jari Illukka.

Based on data from January to October, the number of sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department is expected to increase by 55 percent from 2023. The increase in rapes is 68 percent.

Sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department 2023–2025

	2023	2024	1–10/2023	1–10/2025	Change from 2023
total number of sexual offenses	808	1131	653	1011	54,8 %
rape, forcing someone to have sexual intercourse	304	394	239	402	68,2 %
crimes related to the sexual abuse of children	162	246	135	169	25,1 %
other sexual offenses	342	491	279	440	57,7%

Foreign suspects account for approximately 33 percent of all sexual offences in Helsinki and approximately 40 percent of rapes. There has been no change in this overrepresentation in recent years.

For other sexual offenses, the most common crime category is sexual harassment. sexual harassment was expanded to include sexual acts in addition to physical contact in the new legislation on sexual offences. Sexual harassment accounted for 22 percent of all sexual offencesin 2024. A total of 251 criminal reports were filed, which is double the number in 2022, when the old sexual offences law was in force.

The most common suspected sexual offense is the consensual rape of an adult

Suspected sexual offences often involve a poor understanding of the boundaries of one's own and another person's sexual self-determination. It is less common for the boundaries of another person's self-determination to be consciously and deliberately violated.

A recurring challenge in investigating suspected sexual offencesbased on consent is that the complainant does not show up for questioning or is no longer interested in investigating the matter with the police after filing the report.

"In the initial stages, a suspected sexual offense is based on the complainant's subjective perception of the offense and its perpetrator. Basically, only the complainant can say how, when, where, and by whom their sexual self-determination has been violated," reminds Senior Detective Superintendent Jari Illukka.

It is difficult to determine after the fact whether consent was given to sexual intercourse. Sexual offencesare serious and socially reprehensible crimes, which is why aspects related to the suspect's legal protection must also be taken into account.

Report suspected sexual offencesto the police as soon as possible

In acute situations, always call the emergency number 112! The police will then file a report, take the victim for a sexual assault examination, and may be able to apprehend the suspect quickly.

Reporting the crime to the police quickly is essential for gathering evidence and investigating the crime.

Victims of sexual violence in Helsinki can get help around the clock at the Seri Support Center at the Women's Hospital. Those under the age of 16 are treated at the emergency room of the New Children's Hospital. HUS services include forensic sampling, an overall assessment of the situation, sexually transmitted disease testing, psychological support for coping with the first few days and recovering from the traumatic experience, and a follow-up treatment plan.

More info:

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Protect yourself from pickpockets

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:55:00 GMT

The first cases of pickpocketing targeting tourists have been reported in the Rovaniemi area. The police's advice is simple: take care of your belongings.

Pickpockets are known to move in large public events, restaurants, bars, and areas where people transition to public transportation, such as railway stations, bus terminals, and airports. They typically target phones, wallets, or bags.

Pickpocketing has traditionally been carried out by professional groups that come to Finland from abroad. These groups are highly skilled and operate discreetly.

– A few thefts have been reported over the weekend. We urge people moving through crowded areas in Lapland to stay especially observant for pickpockets. You can easily miss being a victim of theft, especially when you’re focused on new sights, events, or landscapes, explains Chief Inspector Pälvi Suokas from the Lapland Police Department.

Do not leave your belongings unattended

Finns, in particular, are used to leaving their belongings on tables or hanging over chair backs in restaurants while fetching more food from the buffet or ordering drinks at the bar— you shouldn't do this anymore.

A few tips to protect yourself from pickpockets:

Be aware of your belongings and take good care of them.
Keep your items in a location that is difficult for others to access.
Do not leave your belongings on the ground, table, or hanging from the back of your chair.
Never leave your items unattended.
Avoid keeping valuables in open or unsecured pockets.

If you fall victim to theft, file a police report as quickly as possible. The Victim Support Finland website provides detailed guidance on how to protect yourself from pickpockets and what to do if you become a victim.

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The strengths of the police include supervisory work, appreciation of one’s own work, and occupational safety

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:13:00 GMT

The survey was carried out in co-operation with the Finnish Government Shared Services Centre for Finance and HR (Palkeet). Corresponding personnel surveys have been carried out within the police since 1999, but the joint government survey starts a new period in the examination of the results.

In early autumn 2025, approximately 5,800 members of police personnel, or just over 53 per cent, responded to the survey. The previous police survey was conducted in 2022. At that time, the response rate was just under 49 per cent.

Based on the results of HenkilöstöBaro, the overall satisfaction of police personnel is at the level “good”. The respondents also stated that their ability to work was at a good level and that the chances of maintaining their own ability to work were also considered good.

Based on the results, the values of the Finnish police – fair, courageous and always reliable – are considered to be worth striving for.

Mutual trust, meaningful work and safety strengthen the workplace community of the police

The work of immediate supervisors, the appreciation and meaningfulness of one’s own work, and occupational safety were considered special strengths and areas of success. In these areas, the most prominent individual factors were trust between the employee and the supervisor, the experience of being yourself in the workplace community, and good opportunities to maintain one’s own occupational safety. The workplace community of the police and peer support are also identified as one resource.

“On the basis of the results, immediate supervisors have clearly succeeded in their work, and the meaningfulness of the work is appreciated highly. It is great that those working in various police positions feel that occupational safety is a significant strength. A more people-oriented approach is wished for in the leadership and operating culture, and we will develop this further,” says National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki.

People-oriented leadership ensures productivity and effective operations

According to the personnel experience, the most significant areas requiring development are related to the leadership and operating culture of the organisation as well as to the organisation’s innovativeness and ability to renew. The respondents wish for more consultation from senior management in decision-making that affects them, clear and well-founded decisions, fair remuneration, people-oriented leadership, fair and equal treatment of personnel, serving as a good example and trendsetter, promoting the renewal of the competence of the personnel, and boldly experimenting with new ways and tools of work.

Three themes have been selected as the shared development targets for the police: People-oriented and professional leadership and work of supervisors, interaction and effectiveness of the workplace community, and maintaining and managing the ability to work. Moreover, each police unit can choose a few other development targets if necessary and take this into account in the future development plan.

The results and development measures of HenkilöstöBaro will be discussed in more detail with the personnel in the group discussions of future performance and development discussions and as part of occupational safety and health efforts and the industrial co-operation procedure.
Employee satisfaction will be improved based on the results of the survey, but previously initiated measures will also be continued and, if necessary, these two will be combined. The goal of the development work is to maintain and consolidate the identified success factors and strengths and to improve operations in the identified areas.

HenkilöstöBaro is one of the tools for supporting and managing the ability to work

The objective of HenkilöstöBaro is to find out the experiences of the personnel of their work and of the workplace community, to support supervisors and management in the development of operations and leadership, to promote the ability to work and job satisfaction, to serve as a tool for the development of workplace communities, and to support decision-making.

Personnel surveys and the development measures launched on the basis of their results are an established part of the management culture of government agencies and part of knowledge management as a whole. The new survey is based on the overall Central Government Human Resources Strategy 2030. One of the objectives of the Central Government Human Resources Strategy is “Our leadership and management are people-oriented, ensuring productivity and effectiveness.”

In the spring of 2026, the results of the different branches of central government can be compared with each other, even though the most important things for the police are naturally their own results and the conclusions and development measures made on the basis of these results. Based on personnel experiences, several concrete development measures have also been put into practice in the police over the years, and many of them have become established as everyday efforts.

From now on, HenkilöstöBaro will be carried out every two years throughout the police organisation. With the new survey, a new period begins in the examination of job satisfaction among the police. In 2027, the results can be compared with the corresponding results of this year.

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Eastern Uusimaa police and Finnish Customs uncovered a large-scale organisation importing and distributing drugs, including Alpha-PVP

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:50:00 GMT

During the pretrial investigation, Eastern Uusimaa police and Finnish Customs worked closely with the Northern Prefecture narcotics unit of the Estonian Police, the Central Criminal Police Department of the Latvian State Police and Eurojust.

“Eastern Uusimaa police had earlier investigated extensive criminal activities related to the distribution of Alfa-PVP, which were mainly led by Latvian nationals. The investigation, conducted in cooperation with Customs, was a continuation of these criminal investigations, and the police sought to gain deeper insight into the import organisation,” says investigation lead Tero Tyynelä.

“With regard to Customs, the investigation kicked off through international cooperation. Once the investigation had begun, it was noticed that the criminal case was linked to a series of crimes being investigated by Eastern Uusimaa Police Department. Once cooperation had begun, a division of roles was quickly agreed upon, with Customs being responsible for getting to the bottom of the import organisation,” explains investigation leader Tero Virtanen.

Investigation established leadership structures, import arrangements and sellers

During the investigation, it was possible to broadly determine the organisation’s leadership structures in Latvia and Estonia, import arrangements, and wholesalers operating in Finland. The organisation's activities were well-organised and the various actors had clear roles in importation and further distribution. In addition to the organisation's leadership, individuals acted as drug smugglers, recipients of contraband consignments, and stashers of drug consignments. Besides these individuals, there were separate drug distribution organisations and individuals who acquired apartments for their activities, as well as individuals who collected criminal proceeds from drug distribution and forwarded them abroad.

The activities were professional, and the organisation sought to ensure that individuals working at different levels did not come into direct contact with each other.
The preliminary investigation also revealed that disciplinary measures within the organisation involved violence against members.

Different methods used in importing

Investigations conducted by the police and Finnish Customs showed that the organisation used foot passengers, hidden compartments in vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles to import narcotics to Finland from Latvia via Estonia.

The imported drugs were mainly delivered to stashes in forests in various parts of southern Finland, from where the distribution network picked them up for further distribution. The distribution network used apartments rented specifically for this purpose in various parts of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to store and distribute the drugs.

Asa result of the suspected crime, the police and customs authorities have questioned dozens of people and apprehended a number of individuals in Finland and abroad. Seventeen people remain in custody, and three people have been apprehended abroad under European arrest warrants.

Organisation suspected of having distributed several different narcotic substances
The organisation is suspected of having distributed several different narcotic substances including Alpha-PVP, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, ecstasy, marijuana, and hashish.
The entire pretrial investigation has been forwarded to the Prosecution District of Southern Finland for the consideration of charges.

OPERATION TRIO AND OPERATION PABLO

Narcotics Seized in Finland

Within the framework of the current investigation, a significant amount of narcotics has been seized in Finland. The seizures include the following:

Alpha-PVP 12,1 kilograms, of which Customs seized 10 kilograms and the Police 2,1 kilograms (equivalent to approximately 97 kilograms of amphetamine)
amphetamine 2 kilograms, MDMA 3 kilograms, ecstasy 4 430 tablets, marijuana 5 kilograms, hashish 1 kilogram, controlled medicines 5 290 units and cash 31 700 euros.

The total street value of the seized narcotics is estimated at approximately 3.4 million euros.

During the investigation, three firearms were also confiscated
Narcotics Distributed in Finland During the Period Autumn 2023–2025

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspects distributed the following quantities of narcotics in Finland during the period from autumn 2023 to 2025:
• Alpha-PVP 195,9 kilograms
• Cocaine 38,9 kilograms
• Amphetamine 67,1 kilograms
• MDMA/Ecstasy 53,4 kilograms
• Ecstasy tablets 3 873 units
• Marijuana/Hashish 171 kilograms
• Oxycontin 331 units
• KKP substance 30,6 kilograms
• Subutex 685 units
• Ketamine 1,5 kilograms (not classified as a narcotic)

The estimated wholesale resale value of these substances exceeds €15 million, and the total street value is estimated at over 40 million euros. Examples of Estimated Sales Values:

Import-level price Alfa-PVP: 736 milloin euros (40€/g)
Street-level price: 31,344 milloin euros (160€/g)

The release was edited at 1.30 p.m. A subheading has been added

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The police carried out intensive enforcement operation of heavy goods transport in co-operation with Customs and the Border Guard

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:53:00 GMT

During the intensified control period, a total of 1,052 driving and rest time inspections were carried out, in which 104 driving and rest time violations and 61 tachograph violations were detected. The number of driving and rest time violations was at the same level as before, but the number of tachograph violations increased by a third, which should be considered a worrying trend.

“This time, too, all driving and rest time violations for which a sanction was imposed clearly exceeded the time limits set by law,” says Chief Superintendent Kari Onninen.

A total of 79 road transports of dangerous goods were inspected, and only nine cases were found to be worthy of a sanction. This number was at the same level as in the previous control operations, and the situation can be considered reasonably good.

A total of 132 vehicles were found to be in poor condition, for which a penalty was also imposed. In as many as 33 cases, the transport was interrupted completely. There was a significant increase in the number of these cases as compared to previous control periods. The cases that led to the interruption of transport involved vehicles that were found to have malfunctions that are particularly dangerous to traffic safety, such as significant brake failures. The number of vehicles that are not fit for road use has been increasing during the past few similar enforcement campaigns.

Deficiencies were also found in securing the load (43 cases), and overloads were found in 33 cases.

During the enforcement period, a total of 1,374 heavy goods vehicles were inspected, of which 1,131 were Finnish vehicles and 227 were foreign, as well as 16 buses. A total of about 2,800 hours of work time was spent on the surveillance campaign.

A total of 383 monetary penalties (fines or traffic penalty fees) were imposed on the drivers, and 224 written cautions were issued for minor offences. In addition, 172 inspections related to immigration control were carried out. This is also part of the traffic control tasks by the police.

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Mental health crises encountered increasingly in the everyday work of the police

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:25:00 GMT

According to police statistics, there were 11,619 suicide attempts or threats of suicide in 2015, 14,933 in 2020 and 18,443 in 2024. It is noteworthy that, according to the assessment of the police, the persons involved in these assignments have been under the influence of intoxicants in more than half of the cases. The increase in assignments related to suicide and the threat of suicide also applies to young people, and anxiety among young people seems to have increased overall.

One of the tasks of the police is to ensure traffic safety and intervene in dangerous traffic behaviour. The police encounter people with mental health problems in traffic on a daily basis. Mental health disorders can affect a person’s ability to assess their own functional capacity and make safe decisions in traffic. Issues such as depression, anxiety or psychotic disorders can impair perception ability and slow down reactions to traffic situations, which increases the risk of accidents.

“We monitor driving health as part of normal traffic surveillance. If you suspect that a person’s ability to drive has diminished due to mental health reasons or some other reason, you should report it to the police,” says Assistant Police Commissioner Pasi Rissanen of Road Safety and Traffic Control of the National Police Board.

The police handle permit matters in many different areas, such as in the granting of firearms permits and driving licences, and the police supervise the fulfilment of the relevant conditions. Mental health problems can have a significant impact on the granting and validity of these permits, especially when a person’s mental health affects their ability to take care of their own safety and the safety of others.

Change in society challenges people

Changes in society, such as economic crises, unemployment and uncertainty, have a significant impact on the mental well-being of citizens. The police have observed that young people in particular are experiencing more and more anxiety and uncertainty. In the online environment, children and adolescents are exposed to a wide range of psychologically stressful material. The use of social media has been found to be associated with increased anxiety and depression among adolescents. In the most serious cases, children and young people may end up as part of networks such as The Com, which the police recently discussed in a blog. The police are concerned about this trend and consider that there is a need to focus preventive work especially on young people.

“At the police, we have working methods for preventive work with young people. These include school policing and multi-professional Anchor work,” says National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki.

Co-operation between authorities in police assignments related to mental health problems

The police work closely with other authorities, such as health care and social services, to deal with mental health problems. The challenges to have access to proper treatment appear in police duties in cases such as ones involving mental health problems and the threat of violence. The police hope that in the future, access to psychiatric care will become easier and that the number of psychiatric hospital beds will be increased. This would be of help in multi-professional efforts to prevent violent crimes.

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The police are intensifying their efforts in cases of domestic violence

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:40:00 GMT

The police deal with matters related to domestic violence in all areas of their operations: surveillance and emergency services, crime prevention and permit administration. In addition to the observations made by the police themselves, the police also receive reports of domestic violence from the injured parties, bystanders and other authorities.

It is characteristic of domestic violence that the relevant parties may not necessarily want to have the situation investigated, often due to pressure, fear or attachment they experience. This makes the situations difficult for the police, especially when the victim does not want the case to be investigated. This is why the police must ensure that police personnel understand the seriousness of domestic violence, take timely measures in the case, and that police officers have sufficient expertise to handle the matter.

Clear instructions and support for the police

The National Police Board has drawn up a guideline to help the police identify cases of domestic violence and take the necessary measures to investigate the cases. The guideline ensures that the police protect the rights of victims of crime in particular and prevent the recurrence of domestic violence. The guideline also discusses the finishing of the pre-trial investigation and the related measures.

Attached to the guideline are checklists for field patrols and forensic investigators, as well as a service guidance letter to be given to customers. Police units are responsible for ensuring the implementation and compliance with the guideline in all areas of operation, including training.

The role of the police from the first response to the consideration of charges

“The actions of the first response patrol of the police are crucial in identifying and intervening in domestic violence. An official record must be made of all reports, and a pre-trial investigation must be launched regardless of what the injured party wants to do,” Deputy National Police Commissioner Sanna Heikinheimo points out.

The police must carry out a careful risk assessment and take the necessary action based on it. The correct investigative measures must be taken as early as possible in order to obtain sufficient evidence and to hold the perpetrator criminally liable in court. Even a minor assault cannot be mediated or decided by the police, even if the parties do not want to have an investigation of what happened or if it is difficult to obtain evidence. Sufficient records must be made of all measures in the police information systems.

Co-operation is the key in preventing domestic violence

The police would like to point out that domestic violence is a serious problem, and reporting it is an important step towards a safer life. The police are intensifying both their competence and efforts in cases of domestic violence. However, preventing domestic violence is the responsibility of society as a whole, and the police cannot do it alone. Effective prevention and breaking the cycle of crime require close multi-authority co-operation.

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Police Officer of the Year 2025 Sami Hätönen: From field work to training provider and developer

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:46:00 GMT

The Police Officer of the Year is selected in co-operation between the Helsinki Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Police Union and the National Police Board. This is an anniversary year, as the Police Officer of the Year was now chosen for the 50th time.

“Sami Hätönen’s ability to identify the right partners has led to the fact that it has been possible to introduce best practices into the operations of the Finnish police, and these practices have been transferred from the police to other authorities and partners,” the selection committee states.

Sami Hätönen has developed the management of police operations and emergency response technology, such as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, in police operations.

“Sami Hätönen has worked in a determined manner in developing the operations of the police in co-operation with other authorities and stakeholders. He has extensive networks both within Finland and internationally. This has been one of the grounds why Sami Hätönen is the Police Officer of the Year,” said Jonne Rinne, Chairperson of the Finnish Police Union, in describing the reasons for the selection.

Theme: co-operation between authorities

This year, the theme of the Police Officer of the Year project was co-operation between authorities. The changed operating environment requires even closer co-operation between the security, health care and social welfare authorities and other parties in society.
Development, influencing and co-operation

Sami Hätönen has nearly 28 years of very diverse experience in police surveillance and emergency duties and their development in various police units, the National Police Board and the Police University College.

Sami became interested in leadership as early as the beginning of his career. He considers that his admission to police sergeant’s training was the most significant turning point in his career. His desire to make a difference grew, and after he completed commanding officer studies, he started working as a chief inspector when he was under 30 years old. Sami feels that he has been able to influence things in many different ways and on many different levels during his career.

Sami Hätönen is currently the Chief of the Competence in public order and security unit at the Police University College. The unit is responsible for both police degree training and supplementary training, in other words for the competence of practically all police officers working in surveillance and emergency services in Finland.
In his speech at the event, Sami emphasised that the development of operations has always been close to his heart. Even good things can be made better.

“We have developed our readiness to respond to our increasingly demanding duties. We have attained the capability to manage with even the most demanding situations: we prevent or stop serious acts of violence and solve even the worst crimes.”

Sami Hätönen has been able to join various networks and also create them.

“As the most important networks, I would like to highlight the management of field operations and the instructor systems for unmanned aviation. I have had the pleasure and honour to work as the person responsible for these. There is strength in co-operation.”

Well-functioning co-operation between authorities is not self-evident, but it has required long-term efforts.
“I am convinced that that the strength of co-operation created in everyday work will sustain us even in difficult times. Also when our own strength is not enough.”
Read Sami’s full story on the website Career stories, https://poliisi.fi/en/career-stories.

The strength of Finland is the ability to work together

In his speech at the Police Officer of the Year event, Tomi Vuori, Director General of the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior, stated that Finland’s strength has traditionally been its ability to work together: effective co-operation between authorities is a critical success factor for the security of society as a whole.
“The police have concentrated significantly on building new operating models, developing the exchange of information and joint training with the Border Guard, the Defence Forces and the rescue services, among others.”

The event included panel discussions on the themes of multi-authority activities, co-operation between authorities in terms of juvenile delinquency, as well as co-operation between authorities from the perspective of the Police Officers of the Year.

Tribute to police work and training

Sami Hätönen is the 50th Police Officer of the Year in Finland. He is grateful for having been selected to this position and considers it an honour to be recognised as a representative of commanding officers.

“Reflecting on my own career, I would like to dedicate this acknowledgement to those who work in surveillance and emergency operations, especially in the field command system and in unmanned aviation. I further dedicate it to police training, which I am proud to represent,” he said at the event presenting the new Police Officer of the Year.

The Police Officer of the Year institution is 50 years old

The long-term goal of the Police Officer of the Year project originally initiated by the Helsinki Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1976 has been to highlight distinguished police officers. According to National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki, the Police Officer of the Year is a strong institution. The Police Officers of the Year have come from all parts of Finland - from Tornio to Turku and from Helsinki to The Hague.

“In the early stages, the criteria for rewarding were personal feats that had required courage, and preventive work. Nowadays, in addition to personal achievements, the title is also given in recognition of the sector represented by the Police Officer of the Year,” Ilkka Koskimäki said at the 50th anniversary event.

“It is important for us in the police that the title of Police Officer of the Year has been established by an independent party outside our own administration.”

Learn more about the diverse career opportunities of the police on the website Career stories, where you can find, among other things, Sami Hätönen’s story “From field work to training provider and developer” as the Police Officer of the Year 2025.

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Police Traffic Safety Centre has moved from Pasila to Malmi

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:56:00 GMT

Police Traffic Safety Centre has moved back to Malmi at Viljatie 2. The traffic fine notification desk is open for customers from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. In addition to notification of fines, customer service desk helps with traffic penalty fee matters.

The Traffic Safety Centre’s customer service is available also via telephone and e-mail. Telephone service at 0295 417 917 is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. You can also reach The Traffic Safety Centre by e-mailing automaattivalvonta@poliisi.fi.

All the traffic offences and traffic crimes detected in automatic traffic surveillance are processed in Police Traffic Safety Centre. The photographs from all the traffic safety cameras located around Finland are transferred wirelessly to Police Traffic Safety Centre where they are processed and road users are issued traffic penalty fees and fines based on them.

Automatic traffic surveillance is one of the police's traffic surveillance methods. On the Finnish roads, there are more than a thousand fixed control points effectively reducing average speeds and thus improving traffic safety.

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Vesa Pihajoki appointed as Police Chief at Lapland Police Department

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:59:00 GMT

The National Police Board has appointed Vesa Pihajoki as Police Chief at Lapland Police Department effective as of 1 January 2026. Fifteen people applied for the position.

Vesa Pihajoki has long term experience in policing management positions at the National Police Board. Pihajoki leads public order and security sector as Assistant Police Commissioner at the National Police Board’s Police Operations Unit. He has previously worked as Chief Superintendent and as Superintendent at the National Police Board of Finland and e.g., as Superintendent at the Southwestern Finland Police Department.

Police Chief heads the police department

The Police Chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration.

The Police Chief is responsible for:

the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
organising the police department's police services in its area
the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications

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The visit of the President of Iceland will cause exceptions to traffic arrangements in central Helsinki

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:47:00 GMT

The Police are responsible for the safety and security of the events and the related traffic arrangements.

President Stubb and Mrs Innes-Stubb will receive President Tómasdóttir and Mr Skúlason at an official welcome ceremony on Tuesday 7 October in front of the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. The public will be able to follow the ceremony from the Market Square at around 10.00.

Traffic in front of the Presidential Palace will be stopped during the ceremony. The disruption will last about one hour, starting around 9:30 a.m.

The events of the visitors may require temporary traffic arrangements and short traffic delays mostly in the Helsinki city centre. The police will ensure the safety of the events and direct traffic if necessary.

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Check the validity of your passport or identification card for your travel in the autumn and early winter

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:08:00 GMT

A ten-year passport is not yet available

Some clients are waiting for the maximum validity of the passport to extend to ten years. However, you should not wait to renew your passport, because it will take time for the validity period to change, as it requires changes to at least legislation and information systems. At the moment, there is no detailed information on the date of the introduction of the ten-year passport.

How to renew your passport or identification card

Have a passport photograph taken of you. The photograph attached to the passport or identity card application must be no more than six months old.
Start making an application for a new travel document at asiointi.poliisi.fi
The system will direct you to book an appointment at a police station, if this is necessary. Make sure to cancel your appointment if you cannot make it.
Retrieve your completed document when you receive the pick-up notification.

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Weapon displays to be booked online in future

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:02:00 GMT

Starting on October 8, 2025, we will switch to advance booking online and discontinue the waiting-in-line system.

This change will allow our customers to avoid unnecessary waiting for weapon displays and enable us to provide even better service.

Book your weapon display appointment through our online service at asiointi.poliisi.fi. You can book appointments for Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

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A carefully completed application promotes the processing of a money collection permit

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:09:00 GMT

A carefully completed application will help application processing. Applicants are able to affect the processing of money collection permit applications by ensuring that they complete their application carefully and submit all the required attachments with their application. Read the instructions via the link below before completing your application. We recommend using the Police e-services to submit applications.

Once you have submitted your application, you can wait for it to be processed. Enquiries about how the processing of applications is progressing will slow down processing. If processing of the application requires the applicant to provide more information, the National Police Board will contact them.

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The police intensified monitoring of disturbance areas

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 07:36:00 GMT

Visible and effective monitoring

The surveillance especially concerned sites where disturbance typically occurs, selected from within the police departments on the basis of analysis. These sites cause the most disturbance to the surroundings regionally and statistically. The target sites were, for example, areas popular among young people, urban areas, public areas related to shopping centres and areas in front of restaurants. The areas for intensified surveillance were ones where, based on the analysis carried out, the effectiveness of the surveillance is likely to be the greatest.

The principle of the surveillance was to monitor public places in a visible manner and with maximum effectiveness. The surveillance campaign was not communicated in advance in public.

In the whole of Finland, the police used a total of 7,000 work hours on the surveillance campaign and there were a total of about 5,000 surveillance events, which means that the input in the campaign was quite significant. The duration of the surveillance events was often rather short, but in terms of quantity, there were many of them.

The police collected observations of the occurrence of intoxicants in different parts of Finland

Particular attention was paid to the number of different intoxicants and their users in different areas. One of the targets was the alpha-PVP narcotic, which has recently received a lot of media attention, and its amounts in public areas.

According to the figures collected by the National Police Board, almost 5,000 people were removed from the scene during the surveillance and a total of 465 people were apprehended for various reasons. The selected disturbance sites were areas where people often gather, and therefore the number of people removed from the sites is quite high. The most common reasons for apprehensions were disorderly behaviour when removal from the scene was not a sufficient measure, or possession of narcotics and the resulting criminal process.

A total of just under 300 grams of alpha-PVP, nearly two kilograms of amphetamine, more than a kilogram of marijuana and a total of about 3500 different medication pills were seized. Other intoxicants were also seized by the police, but the above-mentioned substances and quantities were the most common. Alpha-PVP was found especially in the areas of police departments in southern Finland, but it was not found in the areas of the Oulu, Lapland and Ostrobothnia police departments, for example, during the surveillance campaign.

One of the purposes of the surveillance campaign was to obtain observations on the proportion of different intoxicants in places of disturbance and on the presence of intoxicants in the areas of different police departments. The police departments will independently analyse the results of the surveillance campaign in their own area and allocate their surveillance resources based on the analyses. In the future, the nation-wide results of the surveillance period carried out for the first time in this form will be compared with similar campaigns to be carried out in the future.

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Helsinki Police Department has significantly increased surveillance, emergency response, criminal investigations and deportations due to drug-related disturbances

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:11:00 GMT

The Helsinki Police Department receives numerous reports about disturbances caused by substance abuse and feelings of insecurity. The disturbances are mainly related to drug use and related crime.
The Helsinki Police Department considers residents' feedback when planning its activities. The police are constantly present in the city and ready to act around the clock, every day of the year.

The police encourage people to call the emergency number 112 in urgent situations where immediate assistance from the police, first aid or rescue services is required. Emergencies include assaults, drug dealing and dangerous or disruptive behaviour.

"The Helsinki Police Department is responding to emergencies faster than ever before. The improved response time is a result of increased visible surveillance in areas prone to disturbances. The number of surveillance tasks has increased significantly in the early part of the year," says Superintendent Jere Roimu.

The average response time for the most urgent emergency calls was 4.8 minutes from the beginning of January to the end of August in 2025, even though the number of emergency calls increased by 13 percent during the same period. For the whole of 2025, the total number of emergency calls is expected to be 161,380.

Excellent emergency response readiness and increased surveillance reduce disruptive behavior, prevent crimes in advance, and speed up the investigation of crimes that have already occurred.

Residents are asked to assist the police in targeting their surveillance efforts, as drug-related security risks and the number of tasks are skyrocketing

The Helsinki Police Department monitors and anticipates the security situation in real-time, based on which the police target surveillance, emergency services, criminal investigations, and other measures. Surveillance is targeted in an information-driven manner based on the police's own situation awareness and feedback from stakeholders and citizens.

The amount of surveillance carried out at locations causing disturbances has increased by 121 percent compared to 2024. During the current year, the police have removed 31,452 individuals causing disturbances from trouble spots. This is 68 per cent more than in 2024. By the end of August 2025, 11,367 individuals had been apprehended. This represents a 20 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2024.

Residents can assist the police by sending non-urgent tips to vihjeet.helsinki@poliisi.fi about possible drug dealing or other criminal activity, or activity that jeopardises street safety.

Drug seizures by the Helsinki Police Department have increased

Criminal investigations into drug dealers are conducted on the streets and online. As a rule, methods that are not visible on the streets are used for this activity.
In 2025, the Helsinki Police Department has uncovered 3,469 drug offences, which is 14 percent more than at the same time last year. A total of 3,368 suspects have been identified in connection with drug offences, which is 15 percent more than in 2024.

The Helsinki Police Department has already sent 475 kilograms of seized narcotics to the National Bureau of Investigation's forensic laboratory this year, compared to a total of 448 kilograms seized in 2024.

‘The number of drug seizures and the quantities seized by the Helsinki Police Department have risen for cannabis, amphetamine, Alpha-PVP, and cocaine,’ says Senior Detective Superintendent Jari Illukka.

The proportion of foreigners involved in street and online drug sales has increased. As a result, the Helsinki Police Department has enhanced its criminal deportations.

The Helsinki Police Department has deported 598 individuals from the country so far this year. This is 201 more than last year, representing a 50 percent increase.

"The increase is largely due to more effective monitoring and the fact that deportations have become an integral part of maintaining public order and safety. Amendments to the Aliens Act have also given the police more powers in this regard. Deportations related to the prevention of immediate threats to public order and safety have increased," says Superintendent Simo Kauppinen.

The harmful effects of drugs are escalating, and combating this issue requires clearly defined roles for public sector actors and aligned objectives

The number of drug users and the amount of drugs used in Finland are skyrocketing. This causes multidisciplinary security, health, and social problems.

The growing demand for drugs increases international organised crime related to their manufacture, import, and distribution. Drug dealing on the streets and online, as well as drug use, causes public disorder. These often take the form of various types of violence, property crime, and other crimes. These types of crimes target users and their immediate circle, and to an increasing extent also bystanders and specific professional groups.

The adverse effects of drugs affect an increasingly wide range of people, and combating the resulting security, health, and social problems requires an increasing amount of resources from society. From the point of view of overall security, it is therefore essential to halt the steady increase in the number of drug users, especially young people.

"The Helsinki Police Department has its own role and core mission. The efficiency of operational activities has been significantly improved during the current year, and police services are being continuously developed in line with changes in the operating environment and feedback received," says Police Chief Jari Liukku.

The primary goal of the Helsinki Police Department is to meet residents' expectations when it comes to essential police services.

"However, stopping the growth of the drug problem requires a real-time picture of the situation, more effective preventive communication based on facts, a more focused attitude, and a shared view within the public sector on the underlying causes of the drug problem, how best to combat them, and the role of each actor," says Liukku.

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Police monitoring drone situation in Finland in cooperation with other authorities

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In recent days, there have been reports from Europe about drone flights observed in areas such as airports. Several potential drone sightings have also been reported to the police in Finland in recent days. These sightings are typically reported to the police in dozens each month. Generally, reported sightings are related to drone flights near critical infrastructure or in restricted or no-fly zones.

The majority of reported sightings to the police can be explained drone pilotin as a hobby or air traffic. It is particularly challenging to distinguish between a drone and an aircraft, especially from the ground and at night. Additionally, flying a drone does not require a specific notification.

Finland is well-prepared for various forms of hybrid influence

The police actively maintain situational awareness regarding potential hybrid influence operations targeting Finland and investigate reported exceptional drone sightings—those cases where a suspected sighting is related to drone flights in a prohibited or restricted area. If necessary, the police will use investigative measures. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of a state actor being involved in drone flights in Finland; however, this possibility has not been entirely ruled out in all cases. The police continue to request citizens to report unusual drone flights and appreciate their active participation in this matter.

In all security-related activities in Finland, inter-agency cooperation plays a crucial role, and the same applies to activities related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). "The police are engaging in extensive cooperation with various authorities in maintaining situational awareness and in preparations for countermeasures against unmanned aerial systems, as well as in developing capabilities," states Assistant Police Commissioner Vesa Pihajoki.

"In maintaining the situational picture related to hybrid influence and preparing for potential hostile actions, international cooperation is also being conducted, particularly with other Nordic countries and with Europol member states," says National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki.

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Police request certain witnesses to come forward regarding a suspected robbery in Vaasa

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:26:00 GMT

Police are now asking certain individuals to contact them regarding observations they made in Onkilahti at the same time. These observations may be important to the ongoing investigation.

Police are particularly looking to contact:

Two individuals who were travelling side by side along the Onkilahti pedestrian and cycle path around 01:00, one on an electric scooter and the other on a bicycle. A car passed by them.
A person who was exercising at the Onkilahti outdoor gym at around the same time, when a car was driving along the pedestrian and cycle path.

Information can be provided by email to vihjeet.pohjanmaa@poliisi.fi or by leaving a voice message at +358 295 415 501.

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Slight increase in drink driving

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:16:00 GMT

In a driving while intoxicated survey, the police breathalyse all drivers who come to a control point and record the results. In the 2025 survey, the police breathalysed a total of around 75,000 drivers. One in 669 vehicle drivers, or 0.15%, was over the specified limit of driving while intoxicated and one in 232 drivers, or 0.43%, had "tasted" alcohol. A total of 24 suspected cases of drug driving were found.

Driving while intoxicated has decreased over the years, but post-coronavirus in 2022 and 2023, driving while intoxicated in traffic flow accounted for 0.18% and in 2024 0.12%.

No surveys were conducted in 2019–2021, during the coronavirus period and Finland’s presidency of the Council of the EU.

Increase in driving while intoxicated – increase especially in combined use of alcohol and narcotic substances

A comparison of police statistics for January–August 2024 and 2025 also reflects the increase in driving while intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated increased 4.8%, with 10,385 incidents at the end of August 2025 compared to 9,907 a year earlier in 2024. The increase is most pronounced among intoxicated drivers who have operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and other narcotic substances. The number of incidents increased 19.2%, with 819 incidents at the end of August 2025 compared to 687 incidents a year earlier in 2024.

January-August
Reported offence specifiers	2024	2025	Difference (%) 2025 vs. 2024
Driving while intoxicated – alcohol	5 852	5 937	1,5 %
Driving while intoxicated – alcohol and some other narcotic substance	687	819	19,2 %
Driving while intoxicated – some other narcotic substance	3 368	3 629	7,8 %
Driving while intoxicated	9 907	10 385	4,8 %

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Blog by the National Police Commissioner: The police in Finland use firearm with deliberation and on rare occasions

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:11:00 GMT

In Finland, the police have to discharge their firearm on an average of about 20 to 30 occasions per year in the course of their official duties. This figure includes situations in which targeted shots have been used to stop dangerous activities, including warning shots. The number has remained about the same in the long run, and the use of a firearm has not increased significantly, even though individual cases receive a lot of public attention.

It can be considered that the police use a firearm on rare occasions only in proportion to the more than one million annual emergency assignments. In international comparison, Finland’s figures are low, which reflects factors such as the high level of police training and the effective use of alternative means of force, such as taser.

The operating environment has changed

The everyday work of the police is challenged to an increasing degree by violent resistance to a public official, assignments related to mental disorders, and unpredictable situations caused by synthetic narcotics, such as alpha-PVP. As a result, the police have had to prepare themselves in a more varied way and develop the protective equipment and use-of-force equipment of the personnel to correspond to the changed threats.

The use of a firearm is always a last resort

There is a high threshold for the use of a firearm by the police. It is never a routine measure, but an extreme means that is resorted to only in situations where no other option is possible. Almost always, the person against whom force has to be used has had the opportunity to refrain from violent action before the police have to use force. Every incident that has led to injury to the target person is investigated by the Office of the Prosecutor General.

In his blog, the National Police Commissioner emphasises that it is important to conduct a public discussion on the use of force by the police on the basis of facts and statistics, not on the basis of individual headlines.

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Police suspect homicide in the Hietalahdenkatu case

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:03:00 GMT

"There is reason to suspect homicide in this case, and the police have therefore arrested a man on suspicion of the crime. To protect the investigation, the police cannot disclose any further information at this time," said Detective Inspector Juha Piippo.

The police will provide further information on Monday.

If you saw or heard anything in the area at that time, please contact us by email vakivaltavihjeet.helsinki@poliisi.fi or by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to 050 562 5433.

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Illegal marketing of gambling in game streams and social media

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:17:00 GMT

In Finland, the supervision of gambling and its marketing is the responsibility of the Gambling Administration of the National Police Board. The National Police Board intervenes in illegal gambling marketing and in the organisation of illegal gambling activities.

The police are especially concerned about minors, to whom gambling is marketed through influencer marketing and social media. For example, viewers of various entertainment games are lured into gambling.

– One of the most common methods of illegal gambling marketing is so-called affiliate marketing. An example of this is game streams where links to gambling sites are shared via chat. The purpose of these links is to attract consumers in mainland Finland to become customers and thereby promote participation in gambling in Finland, explains Senior Advisor Johanna Syväterä from the National Police Board.

The Gaming Police project has also encountered illegal gambling marketing. At regularly organised gaming events for young people, gambling has also been advertised. Police have intervened quickly and forwarded the cases. However, such advertising can be difficult to detect.

– Illegal gambling marketing in social media and game streams is often difficult to recognise. Advertising can be hidden within entertaining content, making it hard for young people to realise that it is in fact marketing, warns Senior Sergeant Pasi Puumala from the Gaming Police project.

The internet is not the “Wild West”

The National Police Board intervenes in illegal gambling marketing. In the mildest cases, it provides guidance to bring activities in line with the law. It can also prohibit illegal marketing, with the prohibition enforceable by a conditional fine of tens of thousands of euros. Gambling offences can also lead to up to two years’ imprisonment. The consequences can therefore be significant.

In mainland Finland, only Veikkaus Oy is allowed to market gambling. Gambling marketing is prohibited regardless of the country from which it originates, if it is directed at consumers in mainland Finland. The National Police Board can intervene even if the marketer resides abroad.

Information at Gaming Police events

Issues related to gambling have raised much discussion at Gaming Police events. Police have engaged with gambling streamers and tried to influence their activities. Participants have been advised to report inappropriate or illegal conduct.

According to the Lotteries Act, marketing includes advertising, indirect advertising, and other sales promotion. For example, using a gambling company’s logo in the advertisement of another product can constitute indirect marketing.

Prohibited marketing includes the use of hashtags referring to a gambling company, displaying the logo of a gambling site, or other similar promotion of gambling. Commercial cooperation with a gambling company can also fall under the definition of marketing in the Lotteries Act.

Reports can be made anonymously

Illegal gambling marketing can be reported anonymously via the police’s online tip service at https://poliisi.fi/nettivinkki, or directly by email to the Gambling Administration of the National Police Board at arpajaishallinto@poliisi.fi.

Observations can also be reported to the Gaming Police officers. They can also provide advice on gambling-related issues and, if necessary, guide you to further support.

More information: Gambling marketing – what is allowed? – Police

Gaming Police online:

Twitch @pelipoliisi
Discord @pelipoliisi

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Police investigating death in Hietalahti

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:07:00 GMT

The circumstances are still being established, and a criminal offence has not been ruled out.

Depending on the findings, the case will proceed either as a death investigation or as a suspected homicide. The police will issue an update when there is verified new information.

If you saw or heard anything in the area at that time, please contact us by email vakivaltavihjeet.helsinki@poliisi.fi or by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to 050 562 5433.

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About one in seven riders of electric scooters ride the scooter on weekend evenings while intoxicated

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:43:00 GMT

The police monitored the traffic behaviour of riders of electric scooters in four Finnish towns at the turn of August and September on weekend evenings. The surveillance took place on Friday 22 August, Saturday 23 August and Friday 5 September 2025. The surveillance campaign was carried out in a pre-planned manner in Helsinki, Turku, Oulu and Joensuu. The police breathalysed a total of 478 riders of electric scooters. A traffic penalty fee for driving while intoxicated was imposed on 70 riders of electric scooters. Riding an electric scooter while intoxicated was especially commonplace in the late evening hours, when up to about one out of five of those who were breathalysed rode the scooter while intoxicated at a level that led to a sanction.

In two different towns, Oulu and Turku, a total of about a fifth of those sanctioned also carried passengers on the electric scooter, which is not allowed by law (Road Traffic Act, Section 147). About ten per cent of riders of electric scooters in three towns (Helsinki, Oulu and Joensuu) gave a breathalyser sample that was below the penalty limit.

According to Section 17a(1) of the Road Traffic Act, “a bicycle equipped with a motor or a light electric vehicle may not be ridden in such a way that the rider’s blood alcohol content during or after riding is at least 0.5 per mil or that the rider has at least 0.22 milligrams of alcohol per litre of exhaled air.” This section entered into force on 17 June 2025. It appears that the citizens’ awareness of the new prohibition has not improved during the summer.

During the summer, between 17 June and 31 August 2025, the police imposed a total of about 700 traffic penalty fees for violating the above-mentioned section, in other words for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated in a state of intoxication of at least 0.5 per mil. Approximately 40 per cent of these penalties were imposed in the areas of the police departments of Southwest Finland, Oulu and Eastern Finland. About 70 per cent of all penalties were imposed on Fridays and Saturdays. Four out of five traffic penalty fees were imposed in the evenings between 7 pm and 2 am. This also directed the intensified surveillance now implemented to certain towns on Friday and Saturday evenings.

There is clearly variation between different towns, but the problem itself, in other words riding while intoxicated, can be observed in all towns where electric scooters are available for rent. However, the proportions are different in relation to the extent of the problem.

The objective of the legislative reform which entered into force in June is to promote traffic safety by reducing the use of electric scooters while intoxicated and the resulting traffic accidents and dangerous situations. Another goal is to reduce the injuries and damage caused by riding while intoxicated to the riders themselves and to other road users and property as well as to decrease the resulting costs and burden on health care, and to strengthen the sense of safety among road users.

The police wish that no vehicle is operated while intoxicated. Unfortunately, this wish will not come true, which is why the police will continue to monitor the use of intoxicants in traffic among the drivers and riders of all vehicles.

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Nordic cooperation prepares for new crime phenomena and a more demanding operating environment

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:50:00 GMT

At their annual meeting, police commissioners discussed strategic priorities for crime prevention in the different Nordic countries, the online recruitment of young people into crime, and operational police cooperation between the Nordic countries.

Contact and cooperation with our closest partner countries is particularly important when significant changes occur in the operating environment. Nordic police cooperation is direct and effective, and is based on traditional Nordic solidarity and equality.

Policing is based on knowledge management, which requires information to be easily accessible, timely, and in the right format. In terms of information flow and usability, the emphasis at the national level to date has been more on data protection, i.e., control, rather than on the large-scale utilisation of information.

The police can obtain information, for example, on how a crime phenomenon that is just making landfall in Finland has been combated in other Nordic countries, or conversely, on measures that have proven ineffective. This information is often important when developing solutions and responses in the areas of technological development, legislation, and operations. Knowledge-based operations save time and resources.

Online recruitment of young people is a serious phenomenon

According to the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA), criminal networks are increasingly using online services to carry out their activities. Web-based and encrypted communication systems enable the recruitment of young perpetrators and the coordination of illegal activities around the world. This phenomenon has also made landfall in the Nordic countries, although so the number of incidents in Finland remains low.

Online recruitment of young people appears to be a challenging phenomenon – and for good reason. This method uses the platforms of private service providers, takes place in a short period of time, and has particularly serious effects. Effective intervention and prevention require the development of information processing systems or more efficient use of existing solutions. The importance of cooperation between the private sector and law enforcement authorities in the Nordic countries is emphasised.

More effective use should be made of tools provided by Europol

The mission of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is to support the activities and mutual cooperation of the competent authorities in each Member State in preventing and combating serious crime affecting two or more Member States. Europol provides the authorities of its Member States with tools for data processing and analysis, which can currently be used to a limited extent in Finland in criminal investigations and analysis.

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The National Police Board intervened again in the unlawful marketing of gambling by social media influencers

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

The National Police Board has assessed that the influencers have considerable financial interests to continue the marketing of gambling. This is why the National Police Board has intensified compliance with the prohibitions with the conditional imposition of a fine. The amount of each conditional fine is 30,000 euros. If the influencers continue to market gambling in mainland Finland despite the prohibitions, the National Police Board will take measures to enforce the payment of the conditional fine.

The prohibitions issued by the National Police Board apply to content that either directly or indirectly markets gambling in mainland Finland in violation of the Lotteries Act. Compliance with the prohibitions requires that the gambling marketing content already published must be removed and that no new gambling marketing content must be published.

A previously imposed conditional fine was ordered to be paid

In addition to the two prohibition decisions, the National Police Board has also ordered the payment of a conditional fine previously imposed on one social media influencer. The decision to enforce the payment of the conditional fine was served on the party concerned at the beginning of July. According to the information available to the National Police Board, the party concerned has not appealed the decision within the statutory 30-day appeal period.

The National Police Board found that a social media influencer who had previously been imposed prohibition on the marketing of gambling continued to market gambling despite the prohibition. For this reason, the National Police Board has ordered that the previously imposed conditional fine of 30,000 euros must be paid.

The marketing of gambling carried out by all three influencers has taken place in several channels and over a long period of time, and it has been observed especially in the Twitch and Kick streaming services. They have marketed the gambling games of several non-Finnish gambling companies. In all three cases, the marketing has been carried out from outside Finland.

“It seems to be a common misconception that the marketing of gambling in Finland from outside Finland would be allowed. However, this is not the case. Only Veikkaus Oy is allowed to market gambling in mainland Finland,” says Senior Adviser Tomi Sallinen.

The influencers have done affiliate marketing of gambling companies, the purpose of which has been to attract consumers residing in mainland Finland as customers and thereby promote participation in gambling in Finland. The National Police Board considers that through their actions related to commercial co-operation, the influencers have increased the visibility of gambling, gambling websites and companies serving as intermediaries for gambling.

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Mika Heinilä to continue as police chief at Oulu Police Department

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:38:00 GMT

The National Police Board has appointed Mika Heinilä as Police Chief at Oulu Police Department effective as of 1 November 2025.

Two people applied for the position. The post became vacant due to the expiry of the previous five-year term.

Heinilä has long-term and wide-ranging experience in various leadership positions. Heinilä has served as the Police Chief of the Oulu Police Department since August 2020. He has previously worked e.g. as Assistant Police Commissioner at the National Police Board of Finland.

Police chief heads the police department

The police chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration.

The police chief is responsible for:

the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
organising the police department's police services in its area
the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications

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Youth crime down in Helsinki, drug-related problems on the rise

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:36:00 GMT

The Helsinki Police Department and the City of Helsinki work together closely in various ways. This cooperation is based on a shared situational awareness.

The focus of the cooperation is on preventing youth crime, reducing the harm and disturbances caused by drug use, and improving the sense of safety in areas and at times when the perceived lack of safety is higher than average.

Drug use and violence increase feeling of being unsafe

People in Helsinki feel unsafe most often on weekends in the northeastern and eastern districts of the city, stretching from Vuosaari to Malmi and Puistola. In addition, people said they felt less safe in Helsinki’s districts of Alppiharju, Kallio, and Vallila.

Feelings of being unsafe are also common in downtown Helsinki on the weekends. Women and the youngest respondents, aged 15–29, are most likely to feel unsafe in the city centre. In the evenings, people felt significantly less safe on the metro and local trains than on trams or buses.

“Regional differences in insecurity on weekend evenings remain significant. Witnessing violence and drug use in one's own neighbourhood is strongly linked to feelings of insecurity on weekend evenings. In addition, previous experiences of victimisation, low health status, and low trust in the help of other residents are linked to feelings of being unsafe,” said researcher Jenni Erjansola from the City of Helsinki's Urban Research and Statistics.

Minority status, as measured by reported first language, does not appear to explain perceived feelings of being unsafe in one's own neighbourhood. Trust in the police and emergency services was also not clearly linked to a perceived lack of safety, when examined alongside other explanatory factors. Around nine out of ten Helsinki residents say that they trust these institutions.

Slightly more than half believe that safety in Helsinki has deteriorated over the past three years. In the 2018 and 2021 surveys, a significantly higher proportion of respondents felt that safety levels had deteriorated rather than improved.

General risk awareness may also influence this assessment, and perceptions may be exaggerated if they are based on unrest among other population groups, crime reporting or the active use of social media.

“Helsinki residents generally feel safe in all residential areas of our city. Even so, there are also some unfavourable developments. Experiences of a declining sense of safety must be taken seriously. We need new methods and extensive cooperation among different actors to improve the sense of safety in Helsinki,” said Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov.

The data for the Helsinki Safety Survey was collected at the turn of 2024‒2025.

Cycles of serious crime among young people have been successfully curbed through cooperation between the Helsinki Police Department and the City of Helsinki

Youth crime, especially robberies and street gangs, has been the focus of cooperation between the Helsinki Police Department and the City of Helsinki in recent years.

The increase in robberies committed by minors coincided with the emergence of street gangs. At that time, street gangs were at their most visible on social media, and other young people who had committed serious crimes were also found to idealise the criminal lifestyle.

In 2024, the number of crime reports involving street gang members decreased compared to the previous year. The police consider that this is the result of proactive measures by the authorities, as key members of street gangs have been the subject of criminal investigations and have been sentenced for various offences.

Crimes committed by persons under the age of 18 have decreased since 2024, and the decline has continued.

Crimes committed by persons under the age of 18 have fallen by around 5% during the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Among 15–17-year-olds, crimes have decreased by 34%, and among those under 15, by 71%.

"The decrease of robberies among minors shows that we have together with the City of Helsinki and other third-sector organisations succeeded in curbing the cycle of serious criminal activities among young people. Removing the most persistent offenders from the streets often has a calming effect on their wider circle of friends,” said Police Chief Jari Liukku.

A special unit called “Toivo” was established within the City of Helsinki's child welfare services in 2021. It is intended for young people aged 12–17 who are in open and foster care and face serious challenges due to crime, substance abuse or behavioural issues.

The Helsinki Police Department and the City of Helsinki will continue to develop school police activities. To support and develop these activities, the City of Helsinki will assign a stakeholder expert to work at the Helsinki Police Department. Similarly, the City of Helsinki has long had a police coordinator appointed by the Helsinki Police Department.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to strengthen cooperation between the City of Helsinki and the Helsinki Police Department. It has been crucial that the city and the police have successfully established effective structures for collaboration and have agreed on several concrete measures to strengthen our joint work. Special attention has been given to children and young people, with a focus on improving their wellbeing and safety," said Mayor Sazonov.

Cooperation between the police and youth services is being developed, particularly in terms of outreach activities, so that more trained adults are available to young people in places they frequent, including in the evenings and at weekends.

Helsinki's traffic arrangements and police supervision increase traffic safety in Helsinki

The speed limit on Helsinki's streets is currently 30 kilometres per hour in most cases, which has significantly improved traffic safety.

“Helsinki will soon lower the speed limit on 50 streets near schools to 30 kilometres per hour. Some streets will also undergo modifications to support the speed reduction, such as speed bumps or speed display boards," said Mayor Sazonov.

The taxi arrangements in the square outside the Central Railway Station have been successfully revamped and the situation in the area has stabilised. The city put taxi services out to tender because competition for customers was causing disturbances and police interventions. As a result of the competitive bidding, two taxi companies now operate at Asema-aukio, and automatic gates control the traffic. In addition, police and parking enforcement have been increased in the area to prevent unauthorised taxi operators from picking up customers outside the area.

The city has also restricted the parking of shared electric scooters in the city centre. The monitoring of electric scooters is one of the priorities of the Helsinki Police Department's traffic control.

"The Helsinki Police Department carries out breathalyser tests on approximately 60,000 drivers per year, detects approximately 1,500 cases of drunk driving, and issues approximately 30,000 traffic fines. Approximately half of the drunk driving cases are related to narcotics,” said Police Chief Liukku.

The primary objective of police traffic control is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and enhance traffic safety.

Cities and police departments in the capital region are stepping up cooperation to reduce the harmful effects of drugs

Disturbances visible on the streets of Helsinki are mainly related to drug use and associated crimes.

Rising drug use and the associated harm will become more visible on the streets if the trend cannot be reversed.

There are dozens of cameras in the Helsinki area, which the police’s command centre uses to monitor public order and safety. The camera system also helps in solving crimes. For this reason, the camera system will be developed based on security research.

“The Helsinki Police Department monitors and anticipates the security situation in real time, and the police target their surveillance and other measures based on this. We have significantly increased surveillance in areas prone to disturbances, and the number of public order tasks has doubled in the first half of the year,” said Police Chief Liukku.

The Helsinki Police Department and the City of Helsinki are stepping up their cooperation in referring people to substance abuse treatment and preventing drug-related deaths, particularly for those people who are in police custody, as approximately 16,000 people are detained each year. Many police custody clients have serious substance abuse problems. The approach is being developed in cooperation with the police, substance abuse services, service users and experts who have experience in this area.

Drug addiction is a serious health problem that has many negative consequences for the individual, their loved ones, and society as a whole.

Supporting drug addicts and their loved ones is in everyone's interest, as it helps to reduce drug use and prevent the harm it causes.

The leaders of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa met with the leaders of the Helsinki and Western and Eastern Uusimaa Police Departments in Helsinki on August 22 to discuss the drug situation.

“The harmful effects of drugs on Helsinki's streets have clearly increased. The city's wide range of services, including prevention and corrective measures, is working at the forefront to address the problem. The situation also requires new, determined action from the city. We are drawing up a substance abuse strategy to respond to the drug situation in Helsinki. In addition, the city has begun preparations for swift-impact measures to reduce the harm caused by drug use,” said Mayor Sazonov.

Information:

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The police imposed a large number of sanctions in the urban traffic surveillance campaign

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:23:00 GMT

In the surveillance campaign, the police focused on the traffic behaviour of unprotected traffic, in other words bicycles and electric scooters, the enforcement of rules concerning pedestrian crossings, parking violations on pavements and in front of pedestrian crossings, and speed control. The surveillance carried out in the vicinity of schools concentrated on the prevention of traffic accidents and dangerous situations.

Visible police surveillance is known to calm down traffic and increase the sense of safety among schoolchildren. In addition to surveillance, police patrols also went to schoolyards to talk to the children as part of the co-operation between the police and schools.

During the surveillance campaign, the police imposed the highest number of sanctions on the following issues:

2874 traffic penalty fees and 918 fines for speeding.
253 traffic penalty fees for illegal use of mobile phone while driving.
144 traffic penalty fees for failure to use safety devices.
83 fines for violating pedestrian crossing rules.
64 traffic penalty fees for riding a light electric vehicle on pavements and 40 traffic penalty fees for riding a bicycle on pavements.
97 traffic penalty fees for carrying a passenger with a light electric vehicle and 5 traffic penalty fees for carrying a passenger with a bicycle.
91 penalties for riding a light electric vehicle while intoxicated (these mainly took place in evening time).

– The number of sanctions imposed can be regarded as significant and worrying, considering that a large part of the traffic enforcement was carried out near schools, where there are many children, says Chief Superintendent Heikki Kallio of the National Police Board.

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Temporary protection applications accepted on Mondays and Thursdays

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 06:47:00 GMT

Applications may be submitted at the police stations in Kuopio, Joensuu and Mikkeli.

Applicants seeking temporary protection must schedule an appointment in advance by email at: kv-suojelu.ita-suomi@poliisi.fi. This email service is available in both Finnish and English.

Any additional changes to services will be announced on the official website of the Finnish Police.

Background of the change

Since February 2022, the number of temporary protection applications nationwide has increased significantly. The largest group of applicants consists of Ukrainian nationals. The police have been responsible for receiving applications.

The majority of applications are typically submitted between June and August each year. During the summer, applications were accepted on all weekdays in Kuopio and Joensuu.

Between 1 June and 23 August 2025, the Eastern Finland Police Department received a total of 995 applications for temporary protection.

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Motoring, speeding and risky behaviour are causes for increased road traffic fatalities among 17-year-olds

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:35:00 GMT

In 2019 to 2024, thirteen 17-year-old drivers of passenger cars and vans died in traffic, while in the previous six-year period 2013 to 2018 there was only one such death. Deaths among 17-year-olds have become clearly more common especially in motoring – there is no similar increase in other modes of transport. In total, 34 17-year-olds died in road traffic between 2019 and 2024, while between 2013 and 2018 the corresponding number was 20.

At the same time, traffic offences committed by 17-year-olds have increased rapidly in recent years and are already approaching the level of traffic offences committed by those aged 18 to 20 years, taking into account the size of the age groups. Offences that cause traffic hazard are typically related to speeding and are particularly highlighted among adolescents.

Speeding is also a key factor in fatal traffic accidents among young people. According to the Finnish Crash Data Institute, almost half of all fatal traffic accidents involve excessive speeding in all age groups. Risky behaviour by adolescents often stems from immaturity, bad attitudes and social pressure. A small but dangerous risk group causes a disproportionately big share of all serious accidents.

The situation could be improved by means such as limiting the exemption driving licence to actual special situations, imposing a ban on driving at night, limiting the number of passengers and requiring an experienced co-driver. Driving health and relevant criminal history should also be taken into account when granting the right to drive.

Safe traffic does not only come from traffic rules – it requires caring and a culture where safety prevails over hurry and the desire to show off.

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Police concerned about huge increase in work caused by large carnivores

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:31:00 GMT

The number of orders issued by the police to drive away and kill bears and wolves has greatly increased in recent years. In 2022, the police issued a total of nine orders for driving away or putting down a bear in situations where the animal was considered as posing a danger to human safety. Since 2022, the numbers have been steadily increasing, with 14 such decisions being made by the police in 2023 and 38 last year. By mid-August this year, 49 decisions related to bears had had to be made. In the whole of 2024, the police issued 22 orders to put down wolves, whereas by mid-August this year, they had already had to issue 36 such orders.

“Although these decisions are low in terms of numbers, the percentual increase is high. Besides which, it should be noted that not only bears, but also wolves have caused significantly more police duties related to public order and security than in previous years,” notes Chief Superintendent Tuomo Korhonen.

The police interpret the situation as being that the rise in the number of tasks for the police is due to the increase in large carnivore populations and the decrease in the timidity of large carnivores to humans. The increase in large carnivore populations is likely to have been mainly due to the suspension of population-management hunting in recent years. For example, there has been no bear hunting since 2023.

The police consider the situation to be a difficult one. The police are not a game management authority and nor do their duties include the management or regulation of game populations.

”The police have a duty to act in situations where a large carnivore poses a danger to people's lives or health. However, in the view of the police, the population management measures of large carnivores need to be so good that the police are only required to carry out these tasks in exceptional cases,” notes Assistant Police Commissioner Vesa Pihajoki.

Timidity of large carnivores to humans should be maintained

Finland's large carnivore population must be regulated through population management measures and their timidity to humans must be maintained in order to prevent the need for police action. If the timidity of bears, for example, decreases or disappears, as seems to be the case now, they will probably move more and more into the vicinity of human settlements, causing concrete dangerous situations and increasing insecurity in humans in the process. The National Police Board has, In its statements, regularly supported the hunting of bears as well as of other large carnivores, especially wolves, for population management purposes. It is the view of the police that hunting would prevent threats and dangerous situations caused by large carnivores.

Professional hunter community ensures good cooperation

Game management associations maintain their readiness to assist the police authorities in situations such as tracking, putting down or driving away large carnivores. The hunters, dog handlers and hunting clubs involved operate on a vol-untary basis. In any case, the police's own resources alone are not enough to deal with these situations. The National Police Board considers it necessary to take all measures to maintain the competence and skills of hunters also in rela-tion to the hunting of large carnivores. Cooperation between hunters and the police is extremely important and socially significant.

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Applicants for the posts of Police Chief at Oulu and Lapland Police Departments

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:58:00 GMT

Applicants for the vacant post of Police Chief at Oulu Police Department, which will become vacant on 1 November 2025 were:

Heinilä Mika
Marks Peter

Applicants for the post of Police Chief at Lapland Police Department, which will become vacant on 1 January 2026 were:

Fordell Jan
Kiiskinen Markus
Koistinen Pekka
Koskela Janne
Käkelä Kai
Lakkala Jukka
Lankinen Jukka
Marks Peter
Pietarinen Juha
Pihajoki Vesa
Rissanen Pasi
Roos Richard
Räsänen Antti
Suokas Pälvi
Väisänen Pekka-Matias

Police Chief heads the police department

The Police Chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration.

The Police Chief is responsible for:

the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
organising the police department's police services in its area
the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications

The English headline was corrected afterwards on August 22 at 12:05 p.m.

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No such thing as permitted speeding

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:57:00 GMT

Recent news and public debate may have created the impression that someone driving at a maximum of five kilometres an hour over the permitted speed limit can get away with a caution. The police would like to remind drivers that this is not true.

“There is no such thing as permitted speeding and all speeding is against the law,” points out Chief Superintendent Tuomo Katajisto at the National Police Board.

The National Police Board recently issued new guidelines on the sanction threshold. Since the guidelines are considered to contain tactical and technical methods of the police, their content is partly confidential. However, media news that financial penalties would invariably be imposed starting from six kilometres over the speed limit is not true.

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Firearms inspection at Kouvola police station to close earlier than normal on Wednesday next week

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:35:00 GMT

Firearms inspection will exceptionally be open in the morning only, 9am-11am, on Wednesday 20 August.

Firearms inspection at Kouvola police station will again be open as normal, 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm, on the following Wednesday.

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